WMO President Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous Opens 11th Scientific Conference On Weather Modification In India

Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, President of the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) and Director-General of the UAE National Centre of Meteorology, opened the 11th WMO Scientific Conference on Weather Modification. This event, hosted by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, runs until 7th November 2025. It is a significant gathering for global experts in weather modification, fostering collaboration and innovation among researchers worldwide.

The conference's opening ceremony took place at IITM’s Meghdoot Auditorium. Attendees included senior officials and experts such as Dr. Ravichandran, Honourable Secretary of India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. M Mohapatra from the India Meteorological Department, and WMO Expert Team Co-Chairs Dr. Sarah Tessendorf and Dr. Steven Siems. Representatives from national meteorological services and international organisations also participated.

In his speech, Dr. Al Mandous highlighted that scientific advancements in weather modification are crucial for global water and food security. He emphasised that ongoing research is vital to tackle climate change challenges. He reiterated WMO’s dedication to capacity-building and promoting knowledge exchange among member states to apply research findings practically to combat drought and water scarcity.

This year’s conference occurs at a pivotal time with increasing extreme weather events and the need for effective rainfall enhancement technologies. Dr. Al Mandous stressed that international cooperation in meteorology is key to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. He noted the UAE's leadership through its Research Programme for Rain Enhancement Science in advancing cloud seeding and atmospheric research globally.

During his visit to IITM, Dr. Al Mandous toured facilities like the Cloud Physics Wind Tunnel Laboratory and Fluid Dynamics Laboratory. Here, he observed advanced systems studying cloud formation and aerosol–precipitation interactions. The visit showcased India's progress in high-resolution modelling aimed at improving rainfall efficiency and reducing hazards like fog.

Dr. Al Mandous commended IITM’s research achievements and appreciated India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences’ commitment to applied meteorological research. He stated that UAE–India collaboration exemplifies knowledge sharing that enhances regional resilience against climate challenges.

Conference Sessions on Key Topics

The five-day conference includes over 16 sessions covering topics like precipitation enhancement, hail suppression, marine cloud brightening, climate intervention, and AI-driven forecasting. Discussions also address ethical, legal, and social implications of weather modification technologies while exploring how satellite data transforms cloud-seeding operations.

This event serves as a platform for exchanging recent field campaign findings and laboratory studies. It supports WMO’s mission to promote international collaboration, standardise best practices, and advance responsible use of weather modification technologies for societal benefit.

The opening ceremony concluded with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony symbolising new international scientific cooperation between WMO, India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences, and IITM. This partnership aims to promote scientific innovation, sustainability, and resilience through meteorology.

With inputs from WAM