24 Dec

Cloud Seeding / Artificial Rain – Global & India Update (2025)

Definition: Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that induces artificial rain or snow. It does not create clouds, but helps existing clouds produce precipitation.
Method: Tiny particles like silver iodide (AgI), potassium iodide, or salt are released via aircraft, drones, or ground-based generators. These particles act as nuclei for water vapor to condense into droplets.
Objective: Used to increase rainfall, combat drought, mitigate pollution, and support agriculture or water security.

1946: Proof of concept by Vincent J. Schaefer, Bernard Vonnegut, and Irving Langmuir at General Electric. Dry ice used to form ice in laboratory clouds.
1947: Project Cirrus – first full-scale field test using a modified B-17 bomber to release dry ice in cumulus clouds. Formation of a “racetrack” confirmed precipitation.
Silver iodide (AgI) later found most effective for ice nucleation, forming the basis of modern cloud seeding.

Country	Key Focus / Usage	Notes / Status
China	Drought, agriculture, water management	World’s largest AI-driven program; claims up to 15% increased rainfall.
UAE	Desert rainfall, water security	Highly active; hundreds of flights annually; reported 10–30% rainfall increase.
United States	Snowpack, drought, agriculture	Used in states like Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Nevada, California, Wyoming; decades-long operations.
India	Agriculture, pollution mitigation	Delhi trial (2025) with IIT Kanpur to wash smog; ongoing trials since 1950s.
Thailand	Agriculture, water management	Oldest national program; “Royal Rain” project.
Russia	Forest fires, drought, agriculture	Regional trials ongoing.
Australia	Agriculture, hydroelectricity	Tasmanian success; government-led programs.
Saudi Arabia	Desertification, water supply	Multi-phase regional programs.
Israel	Water supply, research	7-year experiment, now suspended (no significant rainfall increase).
Pakistan	Pollution mitigation	First artificial rain in Lahore (2023) to clear smog; two aircraft flew over 10 locations.

Delhi Cloud Seeding (Oct 2025):
- Conducted with IIT Kanpur, aircraft released fire flares over Burari, Karol Bagh, Mayur Vihar.
- Aim: Wash away winter smog; limited success reported.
Rajasthan Drone-Based Cloud Seeding (Aug 2025):
- First drone-based experiment to revive Ramgarh Lake and address drought.

Effectiveness: Variable; UAE and China report measurable success, while Israel, South Africa, and parts of Australia report limited or no results.
Applications:
- Drought mitigation: Rajasthan, China, USA
- Agriculture support: Thailand, India, Australia
- Pollution control: Delhi, Pakistan
- Water security: UAE, Saudi Arabia
Technology Evolution: From dry ice to AI-driven programs, drones, and advanced particle dispersal.

References:

Times of India, Oct 29, 2025: “1st ever cloud seeding: How a freezer experiment in 1946 led to mankind’s first attempt to make artificial rain”
NDTV News Desk, Oct 13, 2025: Rajasthan drone-based cloud seeding
SnowBrains, Oct 31, 2025: “List of 7 Countries Experimenting with Cloud Seeding”
Wikipedia: Cloud Seeding

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