Delhi, which suffers from severe pollution every, awaiting the implementation of cloud seeding or artificial rain for months as the Delhi government has been considering it to provide clean air to its citizens.
The city remained most polluted by a wide margin during the 2024-25 winter, with an average PM2.5 concentration of 175 micrograms per cubic metre, as per Centre for Science and Environment.
According to a report by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), the air pollution in the city is reducing citizens’ life expectancy by an average of 11.9 years compared to the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) guidelines.
Now, in order to combat air pollution, Delhi is set to carry out artificial rain through cloud seeding flights between August 30 and September 10. The operation, originally scheduled for July 4 to 11, has been postponed following recommendations from experts at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
The Rs 3.21 crore pilot project, titled ‘Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation,’ was announced by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa. The initiative will use five specially modified Cessna aircraft to disperse rain-inducing materials over parts of the capital, with the goal of washing out airborne pollutants.
Initial operations will focus on low-security air zones in northwest and outer Delhi. Each flight, or sortie, is expected to last about 90 minutes and will cover approximately 100 square kilometres.
What is Cloud Seeding?
Cloud seeding involves introducing substances like silver iodide, dry ice, or salts into clouds to encourage precipitation. This method is used globally to address issues such as drought, inadequate snowfall, or persistent smog and fog. The formulation developed for this project by IIT Kanpur includes silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt, and rock salt.
The decision to delay the cloud seeding operations came after meteorological experts advised that the initial July window, though during monsoon season, was not ideal for effective cloud seeding. Critics had questioned the timing, arguing that rain during monsoon would not significantly help reduce pollution and would waste public funds. However, experts clarified that the presence of active monsoon clouds is essential for cloud seeding to work.
The project marks a significant step in Delhi’s ongoing efforts to find innovative ways to address its persistent air quality challenges.
