Delhi is set to witness its first-ever artificial rain experiment between July 4 and 11, in an effort to combat the city's persistent air pollution. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the initiative, emphasizing the government's commitment to providing clean air for Delhi residents. The cloud seeding operation, a collaborative effort with IIT Kanpur, has submitted its flight plan to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Pune for technical coordination.
The project, officially titled 'Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation,' will involve multiple sorties over low-security air zones in northwest and outer Delhi. Five modified Cessna aircraft will be used to disperse a unique seeding mixture into moisture-heavy clouds. This mixture, developed by IIT Kanpur, consists of silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt, and rock salt, and is designed to catalyze artificial rain by accelerating droplet formation, effectively washing away pollutants from the environment. Each sortie will last approximately 90 minutes and cover around 100 square kilometers.
The IMD will provide real-time cloud data to guide the timing of the cloud seeding, while air quality monitoring stations will track the effectiveness of the experiment in reducing pollution levels. The success of the initiative is dependent on favorable weather conditions. According to Sirsa, conditions are expected to be suitable for cloud seeding between July 4 and 11.
The initiative marks a significant step towards using weather technology to combat urban smog. Delhi's Environment Department, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, is pioneering this effort. A proposal has also been sent to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), requesting the trial to be conducted. The current weather in Delhi is cloudy with a 5% chance of rain and a temperature of 86°F (30°C), feeling like 99°F (37°C) due to 81% humidity. The forecast for the next few days includes thunderstorms and rain, with varying chances of precipitation.
