Successful Artificial Rain Experiments in Solapur District – A Breakthrough by IITM Scientists from Pune

Pune/Solapur, 30th July 2023: Weather scientists from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) have achieved a significant breakthrough with their artificial rain experiments conducted in Solapur district. The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences in New Delhi published the reports on the successful experiments. The findings revealed that when salt is sprayed on specific clouds from airplanes, it leads to an increase in rainfall.

The CAIPEEX project, initiated by IITM in 2009, saw its fourth phase take place in 2018 and 2019, during which the first-ever artificial rain experiment was conducted in Solapur district. For this ambitious endeavor, two planes were brought in from the United States. One plane was responsible for spraying salts on the clouds, while the second plane recorded the observations.

To gather data, 130 rain gauges were strategically placed across Solapur district, capturing the rainfall in different areas after the salt spraying. The experiments were carried out meticulously following the guidelines of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), employing radar, numerical models, and random sampling.

During the monsoon, salts were sprayed on certain clouds while being withheld from others. The results were astounding – clouds with a specific percentage of water and moving upwards experienced a remarkable increase in rainfall. According to readings from 43 rain gauges, the percentage of rain increased by 46%, and the C Band radar recorded an 18% increase in rainfall over a 100 km area.

Approximately 86.7 crore liters of water were estimated to have fallen on the ground after each session of salt spraying from the airplanes. Dr. R Krishnan, the Director of IITM, emphasized the significance of this achievement, particularly for regions facing drought, as artificial rain can offer a viable solution to safeguard crops.

The study identified 267 clouds with a certain water percentage during the monsoon period, and 103 flights were conducted to study these clouds. In 145 clouds, calcium chloride was sprayed from the airplane, while 122 clouds remained untreated, allowing the second plane to study their reactions.

The participation of 25 senior scientists and researchers in the fourth stage of the CAIPEEX project underscores its importance. The team’s research findings will soon be published in an international journal, furthering the understanding of Indian clouds and the science of augmenting artificial rain.

This breakthrough paves the way for innovative methods to address water scarcity and cultivate sustainable agricultural practices in rain-shadow regions across India.