Indian Scientists Developing Tech to Check Freak Weather

Lab-testing on for cloud seeding and suppressing technology that can be deployed at scale

- Vijay C Roy

Indian scientists are working on weather intervention technology to seed or suppress clouds and rain at scale, according to a top official. "Currently, we are doing lab experiments. Once we have the modelling ready, we will replicate it in the real world," said M. Ravichandran, secretary, ministry of earth sciences.

The ministry is setting up an artificial cloud chamber at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.

"We are working on weather intervention technology, especially which includes cloud seeding to increase the rainfall and cloud suppressing," said Ravichandran.

Cloud seeding enhances precipitation (rain or snow) by dispersing substances like silver iodide or sodium chloride into clouds. Cloud or hail suppression uses the same compounds to reduce rain or the size and volume of hail.