Delhi has announced its first-ever cloud seeding experiment scheduled from July 4 to 11, 2025. With a budget of ₹3.21 crore, the project aims to produce artificial rain as a solution to severe air pollution levels in the city.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Delhi government and supported by IIT Kanpur and IMD Pune, will involve 5 sorties of modified Cessna aircraft spraying silver iodide, iodised salt, and rock salt into moisture-laden clouds. Covering 100 sq km per sortie, the mission hopes to trigger rainfall over northwest and outer Delhi. The effort seeks to reduce air pollution by washing away particulate matter and pollutants from the atmosphere using induced precipitation.
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that involves dispersing tiny particles into existing clouds. Chemicals such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, or salt act as nuclei, attracting water vapour. This vapour condenses around the particles, forming droplets or ice crystals. Once these become heavy enough, they fall as rain. The method requires suitable pre-existing clouds and is not effective in completely dry weather.
While cloud seeding has been implemented in countries like the US, China, and the UAE, its effectiveness remains modest. Rainfall can be boosted by 5% to 15% under favourable conditions. In India, pilot trials have shown limited results of around 3% increase. Nonetheless, in water-scarce regions or polluted cities, even that small rise can be significant. However, the process depends strictly on existing atmospheric moisture and cloud type.
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In Delhi’s context, the main goal is to combat hazardous air quality. Artificial rain can effectively bring down pollutants, dust, and allergens by pulling them down from the air to the ground. This cleansing mechanism, though temporary, may help improve short-term air quality without relying on emergency shutdowns or vehicular curbs during smog episodes.
The ₹3.21 crore budget covers technical support from IIT Kanpur, operational coordination with IMD Pune, and use of customised aircraft. The project incorporates advanced planning, cloud monitoring, and real-time adjustments to ensure precision spraying during optimal conditions. This marks a significant step by Delhi in adopting tech-based solutions for environmental challenges.
Delhi’s ₹3.21 crore cloud seeding project represents a pioneering effort to harness artificial rain as a tool against air pollution. With support from scientific bodies and advanced technology, this week-long trial is a strategic attempt to innovate on urban environmental solutions, even while its effectiveness remains closely observed.
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Published on: Jul 1, 2025, 1:01 PM IST
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