Delhi May See Artificial Rain After Cloud-Seeding Trial
The Delhi government has conducted its first cloud-seeding trial to explore the possibility of artificial rain as a way to combat rising air pollution. The experiment was led by the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) under a project that includes five trial runs with an allocated budget of ₹3.21 crore. The trial window is set between October 1 and November 30, depending on weather conditions.
How The Trial Was Done
A DGCA-approved aircraft equipped with flare-based seeding devices flew over north-west Delhi. The process used silver iodide nanoparticles and iodised salts to trigger precipitation. However, meteorologists reported that cloud moisture content during the test was only about 15-20%, limiting the chance of rainfall in the early hours.
Purpose Of The Exercise
The cloud-seeding initiative is part of efforts to reduce Delhi’s persistent air pollution levels, which often reach the ‘very poor’ category. Experts caution that while cloud seeding may offer temporary relief, it is not a long-term solution. Success depends on specific atmospheric conditions, including cloud depth, humidity and wind speeds, which are not always favourable during Delhi’s winter season.
