Delhi's First Cloud Seeding Trial: Combating Air Pollution Through Artificial Rainfall Technology

"The flight will arrive in Delhi from Kanpur tomorrow," Delhi Environment Minister stated. (File)

New Delhi:

The Delhi government is poised to conduct its inaugural cloud seeding trial on Tuesday, contingent upon favorable weather conditions, according to an official.

In communication with PTI, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa revealed that a review meeting has been scheduled for Tuesday to evaluate whether conditions are suitable for proceeding with the trial.

"The aircraft will be arriving in Delhi from Kanpur tomorrow. Should weather conditions prove favorable, we may proceed with the cloud seeding trial. However, everything ultimately depends on the weather," the minister explained.

This trial, designed to induce artificial rainfall as a measure to combat air pollution in the national capital, forms part of the government's comprehensive strategy to address deteriorating air quality during winter months.

Officials confirmed that preparations for Delhi's anticipated cloud seeding experiment have been finalized, with the government having conducted a test flight over Burari last week.

During this preliminary test, small quantities of silver iodide and sodium chloride compounds—materials used to trigger artificial precipitation—were released from the aircraft.

Rainfall could not be induced during the test due to low atmospheric moisture levels measuring less than 20 percent, compared to the 50 percent typically necessary for effective cloud seeding.

IIT Kanpur, which is spearheading the project, stated in its report on the exercise, "This was the trial flight for checking the capabilities for cloud seeding, the readiness and endurance of the aircraft, the capability assessment of the cloud seeding fitments and flares, and coordination among all involved agencies."

Last week, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta mentioned that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had indicated potential suitable cloud formations between October 28 and 30.

"If conditions remain favorable, Delhi may experience its first artificial rainfall on October 29," Gupta announced in a post on X platform on Thursday.

The Delhi government formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Kanpur on September 25 to implement five cloud seeding trials, all planned for northwest Delhi.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had previously granted IIT Kanpur permission to conduct these trials at any point between October 1 and November 30.

Necessary clearances have been secured from more than ten central and state departments, including the Union Ministries of Environment, Defence and Home; the Uttar Pradesh government; the Airports Authority of India; and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), among other agencies.

On May 7, the Delhi Cabinet approved a proposal to conduct five cloud seeding trials at a total expenditure of Rs 3.21 crore.

However, the initiative has experienced multiple postponements due to unfavorable weather and monsoon conditions, including previously established deadlines set for May-end, early June, August, September, and most recently, the second week of October.