Artificial Rain or Cloud seeding

Context:

The Delhi government is considering artificial rain through cloud seeding to combat air pollution and has partnered with IIT Kanpur to explore the feasibility of the initiative.

brief summary of cloud formation:

Clouds form when warm, moist air rises and cools in the atmosphere. As the air cools, the water vapor it carries condenses into tiny water droplets or ice crystals.

This condensation happens around small particles in the air, like dust or salt, called condensation or ice nuclei. Without these particles, the water vapor can’t condense, so clouds—and eventually precipitation like rain or snow—won’t form.

Cloud Seeding

• Cloud seeding is an artificial method used to increase rainfall by introducing certain substances into clouds.
• During cloud seeding, chemicals like silver iodide, potassium iodide, and dry ice are released into the sky using airplanes and helicopters.
• These chemicals attract water vapour, leading to the formation of rain clouds.
• It usually takes about half an hour for this method to make it rain.

Techniques of cloud Seeding

According to the ScienceDirect, cloud seeding techniques can be divided into two categories:

1. Hygroscopic cloud seeding aims to accelerate the coalescence of droplets in liquid clouds, resulting in the formation of larger droplets that lead to precipitation.

• The seeding agents used in hygroscopic cloud seeding serve as efficient cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) or GCCN and play a crucial role in strengthening the condensation and collision–coalescence process, thereby widening the droplet size distribution (DSD) and increasing the precipitation efficiency.

2. Glaciogenic cloud seeding, focuses on inducing ice production in supercooled clouds, leading to precipitation. 

• Glaciogenic cloud seeding involves dispersing efficient ice nuclei, such as silver iodide particles or dry ice, into the cloud, which enhances ice particle production and increases rain.

Utility of Cloud Seeding:

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used to enhance precipitation. Here are its main utilities:

1. Increase Rainfall:
   • Used in drought-prone areas to boost rainfall and support agriculture.
2. Improve Water Supply:
   • Helps refill reservoirs, lakes, and groundwater sources, especially in arid regions.
3. Reduce Hail Damage:
   • Seeding can reduce the size of hailstones during storms, minimizing damage to crops and property.
4. Snowpack Augmentation:
   • Enhances snowfall in mountainous regions to improve water availability during warmer seasons.
5. Fog Dispersion:
   • Used at airports to clear fog, improving visibility and flight safety.
6. Fire Suppression Aid:
   • Increased rainfall can help in controlling and reducing wildfires.

success story of cloud seeding:

United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Enhancing Rainfall in the Desert

Background:
The UAE is an arid country with limited natural freshwater sources and very low annual rainfall. To combat water scarcity, the government launched an ambitious cloud seeding program in the early 2000s.

What They Did:

• The UAE National Center of Meteorology (NCM) began using aircraft to inject salt particles into clouds, encouraging condensation and rainfall.
• A fleet of aircraft and a sophisticated weather radar network were set up to identify suitable clouds for seeding.
• Drones have also recently been integrated for cloud seeding missions.

Results:

• The country has seen a noticeable increase in rainfall in targeted regions.
• In 2020 alone, over 200 cloud seeding missions were conducted, significantly boosting water availability.
• It helped recharge groundwater levels, reduce the impact of droughts, and support agriculture.

Why It Worked:

• Ideal weather conditions (suitable clouds).
• Continuous investment in research and technology.
• Government support and long-term planning.

CBL Practice Questions for Prelims

Consider the following statements regarding cloud seeding:

1. Cloud seeding is a method to artificially induce precipitation.
2. It requires naturally occurring clouds with sufficient moisture.
3. It can be used to reduce the impact of cyclones.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2, and 3

Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

CBL Mains Practice Question

“Discuss the science behind cloud seeding and critically examine its effectiveness as a solution to water scarcity in India.”

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