Cloud-seeding part II begins this week

The cloud-seeding experiment in rainshadow regions is likely to begin this week,pushed from its August-25 schedule as scientists at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology wait for some clearances.

The cloud-seeding experiment in rainshadow regions is likely to begin this week,pushed from its August-25 schedule as scientists at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) wait for some clearances.

There are some last-minute permission from the civil aviation and home ministries and the airports authority. Aircraft had to be mobilised from South Africa. This is a normal procedural delay and we should commence the project in the first week as we are in the last stage of getting clearances, said JR Kulkarni,senior scientist,IITM,coordinating the project. Twentyfive scientists from IITM and two aircraft from South Africa and Israel will carry out the experiment in Maharashtra,Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

This is the second phase of the experiment in which scientists will address technical aspects. The experiment is set to determine guidelines by which the method can be made more effective. The experiment had begun in 2008 and will be carried forward in a three-phase process till 2012. The programme is spearheaded by city scientists Dr JR Kulkarni and deputy programme manager Mahesh Kumar.

As part of a study on enhancement of rain,the Earth Sciences Ministry allocated Rs 50 crore for the programme that is part of the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment. Last year,IITM carried out observations from May to October and data was uploaded on its website. This year,it will undertake actual cloud-seeding in rainshadow regions. Scientists said phase I was a success. Phase II will take two months.

Dr Ajit Tyagi,Director,India Meteorological Department,partnering the project,said,Funds have been allocated and preparations are being made by IITM. September will see the project taking off.

In the first phase,IITM had studied temperature,wind,water droplets and aerosol background of clouds. Phase II will see warm cloudseeding through salt and hygroscopic flares,and cold seeding using silver iodide. It will be done above and below clouds. Phase III next year will measure and analyse seeding impact.

National Aerospace Laboratory,Bangalore,the Indian Air Force and Navy will also take part in the project.

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