Delhi Says Goodbye to Monsoon Sooner Than Ever Since 2002; Cloud-Seeding Trial Set for October | Delhi News

Delhi Monsoon Ends Early; Cloud-Seeding Planned (AI-generated image)

Delhi has officially bid farewell to the southwest monsoon earlier than usual this year, marking the earliest withdrawal since 2002. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) confirmed the monsoon’s withdrawal from the capital and adjoining regions on 24 September, a day ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, the Delhi government is gearing up for a cloud-seeding trial in October to explore artificial rain as a potential relief against rising air pollution.

Earliest Monsoon Exit Since 2002

According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon withdrew from Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, parts of Gujarat and Rajasthan, and adjoining regions on 24 September. This is the earliest monsoon withdrawal in the capital in over two decades, earlier than the usual end of September and ahead of last year’s withdrawal on 2 October.

At Safdarjung, the city’s base observatory, Delhi recorded a seasonal total of 902.6 mm of rainfall, 41 per cent above normal. Citywide, Delhi averaged 736.2 mm of rain, 37 per cent above the long-period normal of 536.3 mm. “Despite the early exit, Delhi recorded a significantly wet season,” said IMD officials.

However, the seasonal rainfall was still lower than in 2023, when Delhi recorded 1,029.9 mm, its seventh wettest monsoon on record.

Cloud-Seeding Trials in October

Amid concerns over Delhi’s worsening air pollution, the Delhi government plans to trial cloud-seeding to trigger artificial rain between October 9 and 11, officials said. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted clearance for the trial to be conducted anytime between October 1 and 30.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, “To provide relief to Delhiites from air pollution through cloud-seeding or artificial rain, the government has received permission to do so between October 1 and November 30. The trial run will be held in north Delhi and IIT Kanpur’s Cessna aircraft will be flown from the Hindon airbase. I want to thank Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta for this.”

Sirsa added that the trial’s exact dates will depend on meteorological conditions. “The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has told us they will be able to give us a forecast three days in advance and if conditions are ideal for seeding, we will proceed with it,” he said.

How Cloud-Seeding Works

IIT Kanpur will operate the aircraft for the cloud-seeding trials, as per DGCA’s permission letter dated 23 September. The letter specifies conditions such as no flying over restricted areas, no aerial photography, no involvement of foreign crew, and obtaining prior permission from air-traffic control units.

Cloud seeding uses weather modification techniques to improve a cloud’s ability to produce rain. Nimbostratus clouds, occurring between 500 and 6,000 metres above ground level with at least 50 per cent moisture content, are most suited for this process. The technique involves dispersing particles such as silver iodide (AgI) to initiate changes in the cloud, encouraging the formation of ice crystals or raindrops.

Delhi-NCR suffers from severe air pollution in winters, exacerbated by stubble burning in neighbouring states and weather conditions that trap dust and polluting gases close to the ground. Sirsa said, “When Delhi whenever pollution spikes, Delhi can make use of this Cessna aircraft and provide immediate relief to people.”

The cloud-seeding trial was initially planned for July but postponed due to monsoon rains. The latest withdrawal of the southwest monsoon on 24 September now clears the way for trials in October and November, with the tentative period earmarked as October 9–11.

(With news agencies inputs)

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