New Delhi: In a significant move aimed at tackling air pollution and improving weather conditions, Delhi is set to conduct its first-ever cloud seeding trial in early October. The announcement came from Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who confirmed that a memorandum of understanding (MoU) regarding the initiative will be signed today.
Sirsa described the project as a “historic first” for the capital, crediting Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for making the ambitious plan a reality. “Previous administrations spoke about cloud seeding for years, but no concrete steps were ever taken. This initiative is the result of CM Rekha Gupta’s relentless efforts,” he said.
The experimental phase of the project will begin with a trial in North Delhi, expected to take place in the first week of October, depending on weather conditions and cloud availability.
Cloud seeding, a form of weather modification, involves dispersing substances like silver iodide into clouds to encourage rainfall. While it has been tested in other parts of the world — and occasionally in India — this marks Delhi’s first official attempt to implement the technology within city limits.
Officials believe the effort could help temporarily reduce pollution levels, especially during the post-monsoon season when stubble burning and low wind speeds typically contribute to a spike in toxic air quality.
Further details regarding the execution of the trial, such as technical partners and airspace clearance, are expected to be shared after the MoU is finalized. However, the announcement has already stirred public interest and raised expectations ahead of the capital’s notorious pollution season.
The success of this trial could pave the way for similar measures in other densely populated and pollution-prone cities across India.
