Daily Current Affairs : 24-October-2024
India is set to establish a state-of-the-art cloud chamber at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, as part of the ambitious Mission Mausam. This project aims to improve the country’s understanding of cloud formation, behavior, and their role in the Indian monsoon system.
What is a Cloud Chamber?
A cloud chamber is a scientific device used to simulate and study cloud formation under controlled conditions. It is essentially a closed cylindrical drum where water vapour and aerosols (tiny particles) are injected. By controlling the temperature and humidity inside the chamber, scientists can observe how different seed particles contribute to the formation of cloud droplets and ice crystals.
Key Features of India’s Cloud Chamber
- Convection Properties: The cloud chamber will have special convection properties to mimic the atmospheric conditions typical of India. This will help scientists better understand how clouds behave in Indian weather systems, particularly during the monsoon season.
- Focus on Monsoon Clouds: The research conducted will be especially relevant for studying the behavior of clouds during the Indian monsoon, which is a critical aspect of the country’s weather patterns and agriculture.
Previous Success with Cloud Seeding
India already has experience in cloud-related research through projects like the Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment (CAIPEEX). This experiment demonstrated that rainfall could be increased by up to 46% in some areas and by 18% over a 100-square-kilometre area in the rain shadow regions. Such insights can lead to better weather management, especially in areas suffering from inconsistent rainfall.
Mission Mausam’s Goals
Mission Mausam is a broader initiative aimed at improving weather forecasting and managing various weather-related challenges in India, such as:
- Enhancing rainfall when needed
- Reducing the effects of fog, hail, and lightning
- Predicting and managing the monsoon more effectively
By establishing the cloud chamber, India hopes to further strengthen its ability to manage weather events and protect vulnerable areas from extreme weather conditions. The research outcomes from this project will not only enhance weather prediction but could also lead to more effective interventions for water resource management and disaster risk reduction.
Important Points:
- Mission Mausam: India plans to establish a cloud chamber at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune as part of Mission Mausam to study cloud formation and behavior, especially relevant to Indian monsoons.
- Cloud Chamber Functionality: A cloud chamber is a closed cylindrical drum where water vapour and aerosols are injected to simulate cloud formation under controlled conditions like temperature and humidity.
- Study Focus: The chamber will help scientists study seed particles that contribute to cloud droplets and ice crystals, with a focus on understanding cloud physics under typical Indian weather conditions.
- Convection Properties: The cloud chamber will have convection properties to simulate atmospheric conditions that affect India, enabling better study of cloud behavior during the monsoon season.
- Previous Experience: India has prior experience in cloud-related research through the CAIPEEX (Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement Experiment), which showed that rainfall could increase by up to 46% in some areas.
- Mission Mausam Goals: The mission aims to improve weather forecasting and manage specific weather events in India, including:
- Enhancing rainfall when necessary
- Reducing the impact of fog, hail, and lightning
- Improving monsoon predictions
- Outcome Potential: The cloud chamber research will contribute to better weather management, improve rainfall distribution, and support disaster risk reduction through more effective forecasting and interventions.
Why In News
India plans to establish a cutting-edge cloud chamber at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, as part of its ambitious Mission Mausam, aiming to enhance the country’s ability to predict and manage weather events, particularly the Indian monsoon. This initiative will enable detailed research on cloud formation and behavior, which is crucial for understanding regional weather patterns and improving weather forecasting systems.
MCQs about India’s Plans for a Cloud Chamber under Mission Mausam
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What is the primary objective of establishing a cloud chamber at IITM, Pune?
A. To study air pollution levels
B. To simulate cloud formation and behavior under controlled conditions
C. To monitor global climate change
D. To improve satellite technology for weather forecasting
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What feature will the cloud chamber in India have to better understand local weather patterns?
A. High-tech cameras to monitor clouds
B. Convection properties to simulate atmospheric conditions
C. A rainwater harvesting system
D. Solar panels for energy efficiency
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Which of the following was a key finding from the CAIPEEX experiment conducted in India?
A. Cloud seeding can reduce rainfall by 50%.
B. Cloud seeding can increase rainfall by up to 46% in some areas.
C. Weather patterns cannot be controlled in India.
D. The monsoon season in India is becoming unpredictable.
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What is one of the main goals of Mission Mausam?
A. To develop new weather forecasting technology for the global market
B. To increase rainfall globally
C. To improve weather forecasting and manage specific weather events like fog and lightning
D. To eliminate natural disasters entirely
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