About Us
IITM has long history of cloud physics and weather modification studies from 1970’s. IITM has conducted the warm cloud seeding experiment and the efficacy of the seeded clouds to precipitation was not documented with scientific evaluations as per WMO standards. The Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement EXperiment (CAIPEEX) was formulated to address the need to develop protocols for rain enhancement.
CAIPEEEX aerosol-cloud and Precipitation interaction studies and Weather Modification experiments started in 2009 with two major objectives to study the physics and dynamics and clouds across India through in situ airborne observations in 2009. The initial observations across Indian continental regions documented the in-situ cloud and precipitation microphysics in the convective clouds. In the subsequent years until 2014, three phases of airborne field campaigns were conducted.
Phase IV of CAIPEEX was conducted with both ground-based and airborne observations and by convective cloud seeding and documented a) physical evidence of rain enhancement through seeding, b) with randomized experiments and c) numerical simulations for hygroscopic cloud seeding. The results of the experiment were used to formulate protocols for rain enhancement by hygroscopic seeding at a warm cloud base in the rain shadow region. Two dedicated observational facilities were established in Solapur and Tuljapur to compliment surface observations. Warm cloud seeding protocols are made and submitted to the ministry.
With the inception of the Mission Mausam, the program has expanded to a center of excellence for cloud physics and weather modification strategic research. The main topics addressed are the development of a convection cloud chamber, investigating different weather modification topics in urban areas, for heat and fog, hail suppression, technologies and advances through academia and industry collaboration.