Delhi Cloud Seeding Trials Halted Due to Insufficient Moisture: IIT Kanpur Reports Modest Pollution Reduction Despite No Rain

Two rounds of cloud seeding were carried out over Delhi yesterday

New Delhi:

Cloud seeding trials over Delhi have been suspended due to inadequate moisture in the clouds. The team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, which is managing the cloud seeding initiative to combat Delhi's air pollution, performed two rounds of cloud seeding trials yesterday, but no rainfall occurred. "The cloud-seeding activity planned for today has been suspended due to insufficient moisture in the clouds. The process heavily relies on appropriate atmospheric conditions," according to a statement from IIT Kanpur.

"Although rainfall wasn't triggered yesterday because moisture levels were approximately 15 to 20 percent, the trial provided valuable insights. Monitoring stations positioned across Delhi recorded real-time changes in particulate matter and moisture levels. The data indicates a measurable reduction of 6 to 10 percent in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, suggesting that even with limited moisture conditions, cloud seeding can contribute to better air quality," the statement further noted.

"These observations enhance our planning for future operations and enable us to better identify conditions where this intervention can provide maximum benefit. Such learnings establish the foundation for more effective implementations in the future. IIT Kanpur remains dedicated to advancing this research with scientific rigor and a clear focus on improving environmental outcomes for the National Capital Region," the prestigious institute added.

Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa mentioned that seven additional trials of cloud seeding are scheduled. "Two trials were conducted yesterday, but rain did not occur due to low moisture," he stated.

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique primarily used to induce rainfall in dry areas. This process involves spraying microscopic particles such as silver iodide or chloride onto clouds using an aircraft. These particles serve as nuclei for water droplets or ice crystals, potentially causing precipitation or rain. However, the results depend on multiple factors including cloud type, temperature, moisture, and wind.

Previously, IIT Kanpur director Manindra Agarwal spoke to NDTV after yesterday's trials and explained that the likelihood of causing rain with such low moisture content is not very high. "But this trial has given our team more confidence that we can continue conducting them," he said.

The senior academic clarified that cloud seeding could not be a long-term solution to Delhi pollution. "It is an SOS solution. When facing a crisis situation with very high pollution, it is one of the methods that can be attempted to reduce pollution. It is not a permanent solution. The permanent solution is certainly to control the sources of pollution. Ideally, we should reach a point where cloud seeding is unnecessary. But until that happens, this is one tool available for reducing pollution to some extent," he explained.

Agarwal mentioned that the moisture content in clouds was around 15 percent yesterday and added that this needs to be approximately 50 percent for rain to be possible.