Cloud Chamber Under Mission Mausam | 24 Oct 2024
India plans to establish a cloud chamber at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune as part of Mission Mausam.
- It will enable detailed studies of cloud formation and behaviour, particularly relevant to Indian monsoon conditions.
- The cloud chamber is a closed cylindrical drum where water vapour and aerosols are injected.
- Under controlled humidity and temperature, the chamber allows scientists to study seed particles that contribute to cloud droplets and ice particles.
- India’s cloud chamber will have convection properties to gain a better understanding of cloud physics under conditions commonly affecting Indian weather systems.
- India has prior experience with cloud seeding, notably through the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX).
- CAIPEEX has shown that rainfall could increase by up to 46% (±13%) at some locations on an average and about 18% (±2.6%) over a 100 square kilometre area in the rain shadow region.
- Mission Mausam aims to enhance weather forecasting and manage specific weather events in India like enhancing or suppressing rainfall, hail, fog, and lightning strikes.
Read More: Cloud Seeding