Delhi Prepares for Historic Cloud Seeding Trial to Combat Air Pollution

Published By DPRJ Universal | Published on Tuesday, 28 October 2025

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that the city’s first cloud seeding trial to induce artificial rain and reduce air pollution will take place today, pending aircraft arrival from Kanpur once visibility improves. The trial is part of a broader pollution control strategy, with all technical preparations and government clearances completed. If weather conditions allow, artificial rain could occur between October 28 and 30, following multiple previous postponements.

Delhi is set to conduct its inaugural cloud seeding experiment today, as part of an effort to address the capital’s worsening air quality during the winter months. The operation is contingent on an aircraft equipped for cloud seeding arriving from Kanpur, where current visibility must improve from 2,000 to 5,000 meters for the plane to depart. The initiative follows a memorandum of understanding between the Delhi government and IIT Kanpur, signed in September, to carry out five cloud seeding trials in northwest Delhi between October 1 and November 30. All necessary approvals from multiple central and state agencies have been obtained. Preparations included a test flight over Burari last week, during which small quantities of silver iodide and sodium chloride—substances used to trigger artificial rain—were released. However, insufficient atmospheric moisture prevented rainfall during this test. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, quoting the India Meteorological Department, said suitable cloud conditions are expected between October 28 and 30, with the first artificial rain possible on October 29 if conditions are favorable. The project has faced several delays due to unfavorable weather and monsoon conditions, with multiple postponements since the proposal was approved by the Delhi Cabinet in May at a cost of Rs 3.21 crore. The cloud seeding trial is a significant step in Delhi’s evolving approach to environmental management, aiming to provide temporary relief from hazardous pollution levels.