India Preps Weather Modification Tech for Rain Enhancement and Suppression

As of November 3rd, 2025, the Indian government is actively considering the use of various weather modification technologies for widespread application in the coming years. To begin this process, a cloud chamber will be opened soon at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) for the study and experimentation of cloud seeding.

These weather modification technologies will also be a key focus of the 11th WMO Scientific Conference on Weather Modification, which IITM Pune is hosting from November 3-7, 2025. The conference will highlight major research and operational weather modification projects from around the world, with a special emphasis on scientific advances in the field.

According to M Ravichandran, the secretary of India's Ministry of Earth Sciences, the country's "Vikshit Bharat" initiative aims to achieve "weather management" capabilities. The goal is to be able to enhance or suppress rainfall as needed, rather than simply reacting to the weather. While these technologies are still in the experimental stage, Ravichandran expects them to be ready for implementation within the next five years.

The upcoming cloud chamber at IITM will be 15 meters high, making it one of the tallest of its kind. It will be used to recreate environmental conditions that allow for the study of cloud formation and seeding. India has already conducted a cloud seeding trial in Delhi last week, though it did not result in rainfall due to insufficient moisture in the clouds.