Latest news with #HydroTrace
India Today
a day ago
- Science
- India Today
Artificial rain in Jaipur through pilot drone project to revive Ramgarh Lake
A pilot project to create artificial rain using drones was launched on Tuesday in Jaipur with the aim of reviving Ramgarh Lake and improving water availability in drought-hit areas of initiative, led by Agriculture Minister Dr Kirori Lal Meena, is the first in India to combine drone-based cloud seeding with artificial intelligence (AI).The technology, developed by US and Bengaluru-based firm Gen X AI, uses an AI-powered platform called "Hydro Trace" to identify suitable clouds for seeding using real-time data, satellite images and Once the right conditions are detected, drones release small amounts of seeding agents such as sodium chloride to help form 60-day mission will involve around 60 test flights, with drones expected to fly four to five times a month, depending on weather from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) will be processed to time the seeding project has approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Agriculture Department, Meteorological Department and local the first day, the trial did not go as planned. The GPS signal was disrupted due to heavy mobile usage by the large crowd present, preventing the drone from reaching its target one attempt, it failed to lift off properly, and in another, it became stuck in bushes near the situation briefly caused tension between onlookers and police, but was brought under control. The technical team said future trials will have restricted public access and measures to avoid signal to Gen X AI founder Rakesh Agarwal, earlier cloud seeding efforts in India used aircraft over large areas, but drones allow precision targeting of small could make artificial rain possible in specific locations, such as farms affected by dry spells despite monsoon clouds. The team has been monitoring weather patterns in Jaipur for the past 20 Climate Engineer Dr N Sai Bhaskar Reddy of Excel-1, a partner in the project, said that Tuesday's plan was to fly the drone up to 400 feet, but current cloud formations are higher than that. The trial, originally scheduled for July 31, was postponed due to heavy rain Meena assured that the chemicals used are safe for people, animals and crops, and meet international standards. If successful, the project could help raise lake and groundwater levels, improve farm irrigation, and increase crop experiment is being funded by Gen X AI, which will share its findings with the Rajasthan government after two the trial works, similar operations could be launched in other drought-prone areas of the state and across scientist Kalyan Chakraborty said such drone-based precision cloud seeding has been used in the US before, but this is the first attempt in India.- Ends IN THIS STORY#Jaipur
NDTV
a day ago
- Science
- NDTV
Indias First Drone-Based Cloud Seeding Launched In Rajasthan
Jaipur: State Agriculture Minister Kirodi Lal Meena on Tuesday launched a pioneering cloud seeding experiment at the Jamwaramgarh Dam area to revive Ramgarh Lake and tackle the region's water crisis. The initiative, using AI-powered drone technology, marks India's first drone-based cloud seeding project. A large crowd gathered to witness the artificial rain demonstration - a blend of science, modern technology, and artificial intelligence. However, the unexpected rush caused network disruptions, forcing the drone into auto-landing mode. Officials said that during the next attempt, crowd control measures and multi-network jammers will be deployed to prevent GPS signal loss. The project, led by a team of scientists in Jaipur, will run as a 60-day pilot mission using the AI platform 'Hydro Trace,' which identifies optimal clouds for seeding through real-time data, satellite imagery, and sensor networks. Drones release safe agents such as sodium chloride into targeted clouds, encouraging moisture particles to merge into raindrops. Meena stressed that the mission's immediate goal is to trigger rainfall, while its long-term benefits include increasing lake water levels, recharging groundwater, improving crop yields, and restoring the ecosystem. 'This technology is safe, meets international standards, and uses agents in minimal quantities that are harmless to humans, animals, and crops,' he said. 'If successful, this model can be extended to other drought-hit regions of the state and country.' Environmental impact studies will also be conducted alongside the project. The minister expressed confidence that the initiative would provide sustainable water solutions for farmers and significantly reduce the effects of drought in the region.
