Jaipur to Test India's First Drone Rain

In the first, India will carry out artificial rain using drones at Ramgarh Dam in Jaipur on Tuesday (August 12). This is the first time that drones are being used for cloud seeding. Until now, artificial rain was only done using

airplanes. State Agriculture Minister Dr Kirodi Lal Meena will launch the project at 2 PM on Tuesday.

Delayed start due to weather

Reports said the experiment was originally planned for July 31 but was postponed due to heavy rain warnings. A team of scientists has been in Jaipur for several days, testing the drone-based system. A special event has been organised at Ramgarh Dam for the launch, and people have been invited to witness the event.

All approvals received in July

Government departments

approved the experiment in July. The Agriculture Department was the first, followed by the Meteorological Department and District Administration. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also approved drone use for the experiment, it added.

60 test flights planned

The experiment is a joint project between the Agriculture Department and GenX AI, a tech company based in the US and Bengaluru. Under this pilot project, 60 drone cloud seeding test flights will take place over Ramgarh Dam, reports said.

Small-scale trial with big potential

This drone trial is focused on a small, specific area. If successful, this new method could be used across Rajasthan, especially in areas where clouds form but rain does not fall. It could help save crops during dry spells.

How cloud seeding works

Cloud seeding is a method used to trigger rain. It involves spraying chemicals like silver iodide, sodium chloride, or dry ice into clouds using aircraft, helicopters, or drones. These particles attract moisture, forming larger water droplets

that eventually fall as rain. The technique is already used in several countries.

Moisture in clouds is essential

Cloud seeding only works if there is already moisture in the clouds. Without it, even spraying chemicals won't produce rain. For example, two years ago, ₹10 crore was spent on a cloud seeding project at Bhaisunda Dam in Chittorgarh. Despite spraying from planes, it didn't rain due to lack of cloud moisture.