Delhi's first-ever cloud seeding trial, an ambitious project to combat air pollution in the capital, has been postponed to a post-monsoon window. Originally scheduled for early July, the artificial rain experiment will now likely be rescheduled for late August or early September. The decision to delay the project comes in light of the ongoing monsoon rains and weather inconsistencies.
The cloud seeding initiative, costing ₹3.21 crore, aims to trigger artificial rain in select border areas of Delhi, particularly in the northwestern and outer regions, where air quality tends to deteriorate rapidly during peak pollution months. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa had earlier announced the project, highlighting it as a historic step in controlling urban air pollution and providing Delhiites with clean air.
Cloud seeding involves dispersing substances like silver iodide or salts into clouds to stimulate raindrop formation. The aim is to induce precipitation that can wash particulate matter from the air, reducing PM2.5 and PM10 levels, lowering smog, and providing a temporary improvement in air quality. Modified Cessna aircraft were to be deployed over northwest and outer Delhi, releasing a scientifically curated mix of silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt, and rock salt into the clouds. The trial, coordinated by IIT Kanpur and IMD Pune, aimed to cover 100 square kilometers per sortie, over five 90-minute flights. Eight sorties by modified Cessna aircraft are planned.
While the government has not specified the exact reason for the postponement, sources suggest that weather inconsistencies and the unpredictable monsoon schedule may have made the proposed dates unfeasible. The success of cloud seeding depends heavily on the presence of suitable cloud systems, which are often difficult to guarantee in advance. The Delhi government has sent a proposal to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), requesting an “alternative window” in case the weather conditions remain unfavorable.
Experts caution that cloud seeding is not a permanent solution and should be coupled with long-term pollution control policies to be truly effective. While results from global experiments show a 5–15 percent boost in precipitation, some studies suggest only modest effects. Critics urge that cloud seeding should accompany systemic pollution reduction. The project marks Delhi's first-ever cloud seeding attempt, a method already adopted in countries like the UAE, China, and the US to tackle weather woes, including air pollution and drought. All permissions for the project have been secured, and safety and environmental guidelines will be followed. Real-time air quality measurements will be taken using CAAQMS stations.
