Extreme Heatwave In North India: Can Cloud Seeding Offer Relief?

As the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said on Wednesday, heatwave to severe heatwave conditions would persist across many parts of North India, followed by a gradual reduction. This change was attributed to an approaching western disturbance towards northwest India, as reported by Times Of India.

Heatwave conditions were observed in most areas of Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.

Heatwave in North India

Heatwave conditions were also experienced in parts of Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Bihar, and northern Madhya Pradesh. Isolated pockets in northeast Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Jharkhand, northwest Rajasthan, northwest Madhya Pradesh, Gangetic West Bengal, and the Jammu division were also reported to have experienced heatwave conditions.

Can Cloud Seeding Be The Future?

Looking at the current extreme heatwave conditions, cloud seeding seems to be the next best solution to the climate problem. It is commonly known as artificial rain and is a method used to modify weather patterns and induce precipitation in areas suffering from water shortages.

This technique involves the introduction of substances such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), liquid propane, or salts into clouds. These substances act as nuclei around which moisture in the clouds condenses and forms raindrops or snowflakes, as reported by Hindustan Times.

In a pioneering initiative last year in June, the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) has been diligently working on a project aimed at creating artificial rain through cloud seeding. This cutting-edge technology holds the potential to alleviate water scarcity in drought-prone areas and mitigate air pollution by clearing pollutants and dust from the atmosphere.

How Does Cloud Seeding Work?

The process of cloud seeding begins with aircraft dispersing particles like silver iodide into clouds. These particles mimic the natural ice nuclei that are essential for cloud formation and precipitation. By increasing the number of ice nuclei, cloud seeding enhances the cloud's ability to produce rain or snow, depending on atmospheric temperatures.

This technology is also deployed to disperse fog near airports, enhancing visibility during adverse weather conditions.

Testing Cloud Seeding in India

IIT Kanpur has been at the forefront of testing artificial rain technology on its campus and in collaboration with scientific bodies in regions of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. These areas, prone to water scarcity, have witnessed experimental cloud seeding to assess its effectiveness in augmenting rainfall.

Challenges and Costs

Implementing cloud seeding involves substantial costs due to the rental of specialized aircraft and the installation of seeding equipment. The expenses can range from ₹2 to ₹5 lakh per hour of operation, making it a financially intensive endeavour. Despite successful implementations in countries like Israel, South Africa, and the United States, the success rate and cost-effectiveness of cloud seeding in India remain subjects of ongoing research and evaluation, as reported by Hindustan Times.

Is Cloud Seeding a solution?

As climate change continues to impact global weather patterns, innovative approaches like cloud seeding offer promising solutions to combat water scarcity and environmental challenges. With continued research and technological advancements, artificial rain technology holds the potential to become a critical tool in sustainable water resource management and environmental conservation efforts in India and beyond.

By exploring and refining cloud seeding techniques, institutions like IIT Kanpur are paving the way for a future where weather modification can positively impact agriculture, public health, and environmental sustainability, as per media reports.