In Hindu mythology, mortals prayed and carried out elaborate rituals to please Indra, the god of rain. Legend has it that musician Tansen’s melodious voice might summon showers from cloudless skies. Abnormal mortals, nevertheless, have neither the Ashvamedha yagna nor Tansen’s tenor. In fashionable India, a brand new type of rainmaker depends on science, not tune to coax moisture from the sky. Whereas Dilliwalas’ hopes of a downpour might have dried up after this week’s failed experiment, this handful of rainmakers stay satisfied that the science of cloud seeding works – when used the fitting means. Cloud seeding is an 80-year-old strategy of climate modification that entails dispersing particles like silver iodide or calcium chloride into moisture-bearing clouds to stimulate rainfall. Analysis has proven that it will probably improve rain by 18-46% and assist stop drought, water shortage and associated issues. It has been used with various levels of success the world over, significantly in China and the US. In India, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, has performed cloud seeding experiments and analysis for the reason that Nineteen Seventies, however it was solely in 2003 that states started on-ground experiments in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu for rain enhancement. That is the primary time cloud seeding has been used to deal with air pollution. Bengaluru-based Agni Aero Sports activities Journey Academy has labored with Maharashtra, Andhra and Rajasthan for rain enhancement since 2003. Its founder Arvind Sharma, a skilled microlight aviator, says the Delhi experiment might have achieved extra hurt than good. “Cloud seeding can not create rain. It may well improve rain beneath particular climate circumstances together with cloud formation and moisture. It’s no shock that the mission has failed,” he says. Helmed by Sharma, the corporate has run tasks in rain-shadow areas of Andhra and Maharashtra that include their very own set of challenges. “Pilots are skilled to keep away from turbulence to guard passengers and the craft. In cloud seeding, we not solely go searching for turbulence but additionally go proper into the clouds,” Sharma says, explaining how the aircraft must be at shut vary to inject the clouds with the chemical. Prakash Koliwad, founding father of Kyathi Local weather, which has run tasks with IITM Pune and labored on a number of missions in Maharashtra and Karnataka between 2015 and 2019, says there was 30 years of analysis within the discipline, establishing it as sound science. He argues that if used properly, it isn’t as exorbitant as it’s being made out to be. “The Maharashtra govt spends Rs 4,000-5,000 crore in drought reduction yearly and should fight issues like farmer misery and suicide. In the event that they spend 0.1-0.2% of that quantity firstly of the monsoon season to boost rainfall, they may now not need to face indignant farmers or misery,” he says. So why has this system not change into extra well-liked? Suman Akkaraju, CEO of Siri Aviations, attributes it to lack of information. “Cloud seeding continues to be seen as an experimental method by many. Consciousness, regulatory clearances, and public understanding take time. However with extra confirmed outcomes and higher information, adoption is slowly growing.” The Delhi govt is reported to have spent Rs 65 lakh a day, whereas tasks that run for a number of months can price Rs 30-40 crore. A less expensive technique was not too long ago deployed by Rajasthan, billed as India’s first drone-based cloud seeding. Nonetheless, that too, has a patchy monitor file. In Aug-Sept this yr, the govt. used drones to create synthetic rain to revive Ramgarh lake with no success. Although a little bit of a moist (or dry) squib in India, the know-how has discovered favor overseas. The primary pioneering try was documented by Vincent Schaefer in 1946, who used dry ice to extend snowfall. The US has used cloud seeding in mountainous areas for the reason that Fifties to extend snowfall and even deployed it in Operation Popeye, a secret five-year US army program in the course of the Vietnam Battle, meant to elongate the monsoon season and disrupt enemy motion. Cloud seeding was additionally used on the 1980 Moscow and 2008 Beijing Olympics, although it wasn’t to make it rain however to forestall it. It was reportedly used even on the 2012 wedding ceremony of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. China and UAE have invested closely to deal with drought. Again dwelling, environmental specialists have dismissed the cloud seeding train as “theatrics” that fail to deal with the basis causes of air air pollution. Gufran Beig, of the Nationwide Institute of Superior Research and founder-director of SAFAR, says cloud seeding is a extremely specialised scientific mission that have to be executed with care. “Even in essentially the most favorable circumstances, the chance of success is 50-60%, which is earlier than and post-monsoon season. The chance presently of yr goes all the way down to 10%,” he says.