New Delhi— The Delhi government has announced that it is “fully prepared” to initiate cloud seeding operations in the Capital to induce artificial rain and curb the severe air pollution that typically follows Diwali. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed on Wednesday that the aircraft designated for the project has completed four successful trial flights over northwest Delhi, the target area for the experiment.
“Our aircraft is ready at Meerut, and pilots have completed their familiarisation with the flight path. We’re only waiting for the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) green signal and suitable cloud conditions. If all goes well, the first trial could take place the day after Diwali or the following day,” Sirsa stated.
The project, developed in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, involves a modified Cessna-206H aircraft designed to disperse silver iodide (AgI) particles into moisture-bearing clouds. These particles help enhance the cloud’s ability to produce rainfall. Nimbostratus clouds, located between 500 and 6,000 meters above ground and containing at least 50% moisture, are considered ideal for the process. However, current atmospheric conditions in Delhi lack sufficient moisture and density, delaying the start of the operation.
According to IIT Kanpur scientists, they are monitoring the skies closely to identify the right weather window. If successful, the rain could significantly improve the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) by 50 to 80 points, depending on the extent and intensity of the rainfall. Experts note that while light showers may offer little relief, sustained and widespread rain could help wash pollutants out of the air.
Dipankar Saha, former head of the Central Pollution Control Board’s air lab, emphasized that “wind speed, rainfall intensity, and the area of influence will determine how much improvement we see in the AQI.”
The ₹3.21 crore project received Cabinet approval in May, and all necessary permissions from over ten agencies, including the Union ministries of Environment, Defence, and Home Affairs, DGCA, BCAS, AAI, and the Uttar Pradesh government, have been secured. A Memorandum of Understanding with IIT Kanpur was signed on September 25, followed by DGCA’s flight clearance.
Originally planned for May–June, the trials were delayed multiple times due to the monsoon’s extended presence and unsuitable cloud conditions. While government officials remain hopeful, environmental experts have expressed skepticism, citing limited success in similar efforts abroad.
“Cloud seeding has shown mixed results globally,” said Sunil Dahiya, founder of Envirocatalysts. “In Pakistan and Dubai, it was mainly used for drought management, not pollution. Delhi would need large-scale seeding for any meaningful impact, and even then, the effect may be temporary.”
If successful, Delhi could become the first Indian city to deploy artificial rain as an anti-pollution measure, offering a potential new tool in its battle against hazardous post-Diwali smog.
