Delhi News
Delhi may carry out its first cloud seeding trial today to tackle rising air pollution, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. The project aims to induce artificial rain to reduce smog.
Delhi cloud seeding | Image: Unsplash
Delhi may witness its first cloud seeding operation today if weather conditions align, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. The move is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to tackle the city’s worsening air pollution and improve air quality amid persistent smog.
The aircraft designated for the task is stationed in Kanpur and the operation depends on visibility improving there. “as soon as the weather clears up in Kanpur, our aircraft will take off from there today. If it succeeds in taking off from there, cloud seeding will be done in Delhi today. Through that cloud seeding, there will be rainfall in Delhi,” Sirsa said. He added that visibility in Kanpur is currently 2,000 metres, but 5,000 metres is required for the plane to take off. The flight is expected between 12:30 pm and 1 pm, weather permitting.
What is cloud seeding?
Cloud seeding is a scientific process that involves dispersing substances such as silver iodide, dry ice or rock salt into clouds to stimulate rainfall. The method can help improve air quality, reduce fog and alleviate water scarcity.
The formulation for Delhi’s cloud seeding trial has been developed by IIT Kanpur and includes silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt and rock salt.
Why Delhi is resorting to artificial rain
Delhi’s air pollution remains one of the worst in the world. The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) reported that during the 2024–25 winter, Delhi was India’s most polluted megacity, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 175 micrograms per cubic metre. A study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) found that pollution is reducing Delhiites’ life expectancy by 11.9 years compared to WHO standards.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) at 8 am today stood at 306, falling under the ‘very poor’ category. Localised readings were even higher — Siri Fort (350), Bawana (336) and Burari (326) among others.
The Delhi government signed an MoU with IIT Kanpur on September 25 to conduct five cloud seeding trials in northwest Delhi between October 1 and November 30. The Rs 3.21 crore project, however, has faced multiple postponements due to unfavourable weather.
Saumya Agrawal
Saumya Agrawal has accumulated over four years of experience curating viral, trending, offbeat, and unconventional news stories. Her journalistic contributions span reputable media outlets, showcasing her ability to uncover viral content.
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