TL;DR: Delhi is conducting its first cloud seeding trial from October 7 to 9, 2025, in partnership with IIT Kanpur, aiming to create artificial rain to reduce air pollution. The ₹3.2 crore project involves up to five trials over two months and is dependent on suitable weather conditions.
🔹 What Happened
- Delhi is conducting its first-ever cloud seeding trial from October 7 to 9, 2025, in northwest Delhi to combat severe winter air pollution.
- The initiative is part of a pilot project involving up to five trials during October and November 2025, depending on weather conditions.
- The project is a collaboration between the Delhi government and IIT Kanpur, formalized by an MoU signed on September 25, 2025.
- The Cessna 206-H aircraft from Hindon Air Base will release silver iodide or calcium chloride into clouds at 2.5-3 km altitude to induce rain.
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted approval on September 24, 2025, under Rule 26(2) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937.
🔹 Objective & Technology
- Goal: Artificial rainfall to remove air pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10, which worsen in winter.
- Cloud seeding targets moisture-laden cumulus or nimbus clouds, identified using radar and satellite data.
- The method is supported technically by IMD and IITM Pune and will follow DGCA flight safety rules.
🔹 Implementation & Funding
- Lead agency: IIT Kanpur’s Department of Aerospace Engineering.
- Funding: Estimated at ₹3.2 crore, approved by the Delhi Environment Department.
- Aircraft operations: Conducted under visual flight rules, with no remuneration, and clearance from state/local authorities.
🔹 Government & Expert Statements
- Environment Minister Gopal Rai: Called the trial a “pioneering effort” with potential for expansion if successful.
- Delhi CM Rekha Gupta: "Today's MoU paves the way for a two-month cloud seeding trial... This initiative will prove to be both historic and beneficial for Delhi."
- Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa: "We will first evaluate the outcome of the initial attempt and then decide on the subsequent ones."
- IIT Kanpur experts: Highlighted that effectiveness depends on accurate weather forecasting and cloud presence.
🔹 Background & Context
- Delhi faces hazardous AQI levels (300-400+) in winter due to stubble burning, vehicles, and industrial emissions.
- Cloud seeding for pollution is new in India; previously used mostly for agriculture in Maharashtra and Karnataka.
- Earlier cloud seeding plans in July-September 2025 were delayed due to unsuitable monsoon conditions.
🔹 Concerns & Challenges
- Weather dependent: Seeding needs suitable cloud types and moisture levels, not always present in Delhi winters.
- Temporary effect: Experts say rain may provide relief for only 1-2 days, not fix root pollution sources.
- Cost: ₹3.2 crore for five trials; large-scale deployment may be expensive.
- Environmental concerns: Some environmentalists question the use of silver iodide and its ecological impact.
🔹 Next Steps
- Post-trial review by IIT Kanpur expected in late November 2025.
- Results will guide decisions on future cloud seeding programs in 2026.
- Water quality will be tested post-rainfall to ensure no harmful chemical impact.