Delhi Launches First Cloud Seeding Trial With IIT Tech To Curb Pollution
Delhi is poised to make weather history today as the city prepares for its first cloud seeding trial aimed at reducing hazardous air pollution. The operation, contingent on favourable weather in Kanpur where the aircraft is stationed, could mark a breakthrough in the capital’s ongoing fight against deteriorating air quality.
The initiative, executed in collaboration with a premier technical institute, employs advanced cloud seeding technology using silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt, and rock salt to induce artificial rainfall. The experiment is backed by a government-approved budget of ₹3.21 crore and is part of a broader strategy to conduct five trials in north-west Delhi between October and November.
Officials confirmed that the flight would commence once visibility improves in Kanpur and Delhi. Current weather restrictions have delayed the process, but authorities remain optimistic that conditions will align by early afternoon. Once airborne, the aircraft will disperse the cloud-seeding material across specific regions of Delhi, aiming to trigger light showers that could temporarily suppress the city’s toxic haze.
Cloud seeding, though not new globally, represents a significant scientific and environmental milestone for India’s national capital. The technology works by dispersing fine particles that encourage cloud condensation, ultimately producing rainfall. Experts explain that while artificial rain cannot replace long-term pollution control measures, it can help wash away particulate matter, providing short-term relief from severe smog episodes.
Delhi’s air quality has consistently ranked among the world’s poorest, with PM2.5 levels frequently crossing the “very poor” threshold. The city’s winter pollution is largely driven by vehicle emissions, industrial waste, and stubble burning in neighbouring states. According to environmental research, residents could lose nearly 12 years of life expectancy compared to global health standards if current pollution levels persist.
The government’s collaboration with scientific experts marks a shift towards technological solutions in combating environmental degradation. Authorities view the initiative as both a scientific experiment and an emergency intervention to safeguard public health. If successful, the model could be replicated across other northern Indian cities struggling with similar pollution crises.Environmental experts, however, emphasise that cloud seeding is not a silver bullet. While it may offer temporary relief, they urge parallel investment in green infrastructure, cleaner transport, and strict emissions control to ensure long-term sustainability. Still, Delhi’s experiment stands as a symbolic and scientific stride towards reclaiming its skies and creating a cleaner, more liveable city.
