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Clouds and Cloud seeding

According to science and meteorology, cloud is an apparent aggregation of water vapours and ice crystals that suspended in the atmosphere. Clouds are the big natural source of rain, snowfall, fresh water and glaciers. They also play a vital role in maintaining the Earth’s temperature.

How clouds are formed:

The water present in rivers, oceans, seas, ponds, lakes, and even on land has the ability to absorb the heat and energy from its surroundings, including the radiant energy from the Sun. This absorption leads to the formation of water vapors, which have a significantly lower density and begin to move against the force of gravity exerted by the Earth. As these water vapors rise to a certain height above the sea level or land, they come together and condense into solid crystals, forming ice. Consequently, they result in the formation of clouds. Subsequently, in various regions of the world, there are occurrences of rainfall, snowfall, and winds at different intervals.

CLOUD SEEDING:

Cloud seeding is a kind of meteorology advancement technique in which certain chemicals are thrown down on the clouds to enhance the ability of water vapours, to form ice crystals. It is a very beneficial process. It improves a cloud’s ability to produce rain and snow.

How is Cloud Seeding done?

For the purpose of doing cloud seeding, certain chemicals are thrown down on clouds from airplanes, rockets, etc. Cloud seeding can also be done from ground-based generators. The D.R.I Cloud Seeding Research Program uses these generators. The D.R.I also conducts cloud seeding from an aircraft.

Chemicals:

The special chemical used for cloud seeding is silver iodide (AgI). It increases the ability of water vapours to form crystals. AgI used in many cloud seeding operations. It aids in the formation of ice crystals. It exists naturally in the environment but very low amount. Silver iodide is burned from a generator or released from aircraft or rocket. Upon reaching the cloud, Silver iodide is induced and helps in the production of snowflakes.

Pros and cons of Cloud Seeding:

Cloud seeding has become a widely adopted practice worldwide, aimed at augmenting winter snowfall, rainfall, and bolstering natural water resources. However, it is important to consider both the advantages and disadvantages associated with this technique.

  • On the positive side, cloud seeding has proven effective in increasing precipitation, which is crucial for regions experiencing water scarcity. By enhancing snowfall and rainfall, it helps replenish water sources and supports agricultural activities. Moreover, this process can potentially mitigate the impact of droughts and contribute to the overall water security of an area.
  • Nevertheless, cloud seeding is not without its drawbacks. Some individuals may experience health issues as a result of this practice, including respiratory problems, skin irritation, and gastrointestinal complications. Additionally, cloud seeding has been linked to various natural disasters such as flooding, droughts, earthquakes, famines, and storms. These adverse effects highlight the need for careful monitoring and regulation of cloud seeding activities to minimize potential risks.

Example:

In Wyoming, experiment of cloud seeding of 10 years resulted in 5-15% increases in snow-pack. And a five year cloud seeding projected D.R.I resulted in a 14% increase in snowfall in the snowy mountains of New South Wales-Australia.

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