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fair weather frenzy

Despite a lack of results, India remains thirsty for cloud seeding

Imprecise as the science is, Indian states are insisting on cloud seeding even as a scientific initiative to establish its efficacy is ongoing

18/12/18

Roshni Nair

IIT-Kanpur, in collaboration with CPCB and ISRO, is set to undertake cloud seeding over Delhi-NCR to combat air pollution in a first of its kind pilot

But cloud seeding is a hotly-debated subject among meteorologists worldwide, since its success in producing rainfall is yet to be proven

CAIPEEX, which studies cloud-aerosol interactions, is still undertaking a three-year, Rs 250 crore project to determine the efficacy of cloud seeding

Indian state governments, however, have routinely spent big money on weather modification to fight drought — with little to nothing to show for it

Photo-by-Ricardo-Resende-on-Unsplash-resized-1920x1280.jpeg

Here’s how things would unfold if Sachchida Nand Tripathi has his way. During winter, an ISRO aircraft flying three kilometres above ground uses its flare launchers to shoot hygroscopic (water-inducing) salts at target clouds over Delhi-NCR. Updraughts—which can reach speeds of 50 metres a second in storm conditions, but average 5-8 m/s in summer months—may…

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