Delhi to Conduct First Artificial Rain Cloud Seeding Trial Amid Severe Air Pollution
Delhi is set to undergo its first cloud seeding trial today to induce artificial rain aimed at reducing winter air pollution. A Cessna 206H aircraft took off from Kanpur towards Delhi, targeting northwest Delhi near Burari, one of the most polluted areas. The experiment is part of a broader government strategy to mitigate hazardous air quality which has worsened post-Diwali, with AQI levels staying above 300.
With Delhi’s air quality worsening to ‘very poor’ levels exceeding an AQI of 300, the Delhi government has initiated its first cloud seeding trial to induce artificial rain. This process involves dispersing chemicals such as silver iodide nanoparticles, potassium iodide, dry ice, and rock salt into clouds to accelerate water droplet formation followed by rainfall. A specially equipped Cessna 206H aircraft took off from Kanpur once weather conditions and visibility improved. The aircraft is expected to conduct the cloud seeding trial near Burari in northwest Delhi, a region severely impacted by pollution. This trial has been delayed multiple times due to unfavorable cloud cover and weather conditions but is now proceeding as the Indian Meteorological Department reported conducive skies. The initiative comes amid political disputes over AQI manipulation claims, with opposition parties accusing each other of responsibility for pollution levels. The Delhi government aims to carry out five such trials as part of its Rs 3.21 crore approved plan in collaboration with IIT Kanpur under comprehensive clearances from state and central authorities. This cloud seeding effort represents a novel approach for Delhi to tackle hazardous winter pollution and hopes to demonstrate artificial rain as an effective mitigation tool for the highly polluted capital city.
