The recent cloud seeding operation conducted in Delhi has been characterized as an experimental initiative by M Ravichandran, the secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). This statement was made during the 11th World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) Scientific Conference on Weather Modification, which commenced on November 3, 2025.
Ravichandran emphasized the importance of such trials in advancing scientific knowledge, stating, “Every experiment has both positive and negative outcomes, but they are all crucial for gathering data and improving our knowledge.” He pointed out that the operation in Delhi, which took place on October 29 and was supported by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), is seen as a valuable scientific test.
This six-day conference, which runs until November 8, represents a revival of the WMO”s legacy event on weather modification, last held in 2011. It aims to highlight advancements in weather modification science and technologies, bringing together notable scientists and researchers from around the globe to share their insights and discuss the future of atmospheric intervention.
Notable attendees at the conference”s inauguration included Abdulla Al Mandous, president of the WMO; M Mohapatra, director-general of meteorology at the IMD; and Suryachandra Rao, director of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). Other representatives from the WMO, including Estelle De Coning, Sarah Tessendorf, and Steven Siems, were also present.
In discussing the cloud seeding efforts, Ravichandran noted that various institutions and universities are undertaking different experiments to tackle environmental challenges in Delhi. He stated, “Such initiatives help build a shared pool of knowledge and expertise. An experiment may succeed or fail, but both outcomes are meaningful — even a failed one provides critical information for future research.”
Furthermore, Ravichandran announced plans for a new cloud chamber facility at IITM Pune, which will enable scientists to simulate cloud formation and related atmospheric processes in a controlled laboratory environment. He explained that this facility would allow researchers to test and refine cloud seeding techniques before they are implemented in real-world scenarios.
