New Delhi: In a first-of-its-kind weather intervention, Delhi is preparing to witness artificial rain on October 29 as part of an ambitious effort to tackle the city’s annual post-Diwali pollution crisis. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirmed that the pilot project—developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur—has successfully completed its trial phase.
During a test flight over Burari earlier this week, scientists released a mixture of silver iodide and sodium chloride into moisture-laden clouds, marking a successful trial of the cloud-seeding technology. The main objective is to trigger rainfall that can help cleanse the city’s air, which typically turns hazardous in late October and November.
The initiative is being jointly carried out by the Delhi government, IIT-Kanpur, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has already given operational clearance for five full-scale cloud-seeding trials over northwest Delhi next week.
How Cloud Seeding Works?
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that encourages precipitation by dispersing microscopic particles—usually silver iodide or common salt—into the clouds. These particles serve as nuclei around which moisture can condense, forming larger droplets that eventually fall as rain. However, the method’s success depends heavily on the presence of sufficient moisture in the atmosphere, typically above 50 percent.
Aircraft fitted with flare systems or sprayers are used to spread these substances at specific altitudes. The induced rainfall, if successful, can help wash away airborne particulate matter, offering temporary relief from the dense smog that blankets the capital every winter.
A Scientific Fight Against Pollution
Speaking about the upcoming operation, CM Rekha Gupta said, “Delhi’s air pollution has reached alarming levels every year after Diwali. We are turning to science and innovation to find real solutions. Artificial rain could offer immediate respite while long-term emission control measures continue.”
Experts believe that even moderate rainfall could help reduce concentrations of PM2.5 and PM10 particles, providing cleaner air for millions of residents.
If successful, Delhi’s artificial rain experiment could pave the way for similar interventions in other pollution-hit cities across northern India—offering a glimpse of how technology and science can join forces to address one of the nation’s most persistent environmental challenges.
