Why in the news?

  • The Delhi Government successfully conducted a trial run of cloud seeding in the region.

Cloud Seeding

  • Definition: Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used to induce precipitation (rainfall or snow) by dispersing substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, thereby enhancing the formation and growth of precipitation particles within clouds. Silver iodide (AgI) is the most widely used cloud-seeding agent.
  • Process:
    • Cloud seeding typically involves the dispersion of substances such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice into clouds either by aircraft or ground-based generators.
    • These substances act as nuclei around which water droplets or ice crystals can form, leading to the aggregation of particles and eventual precipitation.
  • Objectives:
    • The primary objective of cloud seeding is to augment rainfall or snowfall in areas experiencing water scarcity or drought conditions.
    • It can also be used to mitigate the impact of hailstorms by modifying cloud dynamics to reduce the size of hailstones.
  • Methods: There are two main methods of cloud seeding:
    • Static Seeding: This involves releasing seeding agents into clouds without regard to cloud structure or development.
    • Dynamic Seeding: Targets specific regions within clouds where natural processes such as updrafts or supercooled water are conducive to precipitation formation.
  • Concerns:
    • The environmental and ecological impacts of cloud seeding, such as unintended consequences on local weather patterns and ecosystems, are not adequately understood.
    • Additionally, concerns about the equitable distribution of precipitation and the potential for geopolitical tensions over shared water resources have been raised.
  • Applications:
    • Cloud seeding is used in various regions around the world, including arid and semi-arid areas, mountainous regions, and agricultural zones, to augment water resources and enhance crop yields.
    • It is also employed in winter sports areas to increase snowfall for skiing and snowboarding activities.