Delhi Conducts First Cloud Seeding Trial To Tackle Pollution Crisis

New Delhi: Parts of Delhi, including Burari and Karol Bagh, saw the first cloud-seeding trial on Tuesday (October 28), officials said.

Officials added that the aircraft took off from Kanpur for Delhi to conduct the trial. The trial aimed to induce artificial rain and tackle air pollution in the capital. It is part of the government's broader strategy to address worsening winter air quality.

According to environmentalists, the Delhi government's cloud-seeding trial is a short-term solution. They believe it might lower pollution for now, but it does not address the main causes of the city's worsening air quality.

According to officials, the aircraft flew over areas including Burari, north Karol Bagh and Mayur Vihar before landing at Meerut Airfield.

"The Cessna aircraft took off from Kanpur. It released eight fire flares, each weighing 2 to 2.5 kilograms and the trial lasted for half an hour. Each flare lasted 2 to 2.5 minutes. The clouds had a humidity of 15-20 per cent. The flares were released for 17 to 18 minutes," Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said in a video statement.

He added that IIT-Kanpur has opined that rain could occur between 15 minutes and 4 hours after the trial.

"However, the rainfall won't be heavy since the humidity levels were only at 15 to 20 per cent," the minister said.

Later in the day, a second trial took place in outer Delhi.

Sirsa said that nine or ten more trials are planned in the coming days. Since the IMD reported northward winds, the team is focusing on areas in that direction.

"This is a huge step taken by the government to mitigate pollution. If trials are successful, we will prepare a long-term plan by February. We hope that if this is successful, it will be a first such scientific step in India to reduce pollution," the minister added.

Sources said IIT Kanpur carried out the operation over Delhi in a corridor about 25 nautical miles long and 4 nautical miles wide, covering the area from Khekra to just north of Burari. The first round involved six flares (chemical devices used for cloud seeding) released at an altitude of nearly 4,000 feet above ground level, with a burn duration of 18.5 minutes. A second flight took off at 3.55 pm, deploying eight flares at a higher altitude of around 5,000-6,000 feet.

After the second trial, Sirsa said in a post on X that the Cessna aircraft took off from Meerut Airport, released cloud-seeding flares over different areas in Delhi, and then completed the operation.

He said the IIT-Kanpur team is optimistic about positive outcomes from the systematic trials.

"Based on the success of these trials, cloud-seeding will be used extensively in Delhi for pollution control under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta," he added.

The trial was designed to create artificial rain (rain induced by cloud seeding with chemical agents) to help reduce air pollution in Delhi. It is part of the government's larger plan to improve air quality during the winter.

The government held a test flight over Burari last week. During the run, small amounts of silver iodide and sodium chloride were released from the aircraft.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta hailed the move as a “pioneering step” in addressing Delhi’s pollution crisis. “Cloud seeding is a necessity for Delhi. This experiment could help us tackle our environmental challenges,” she said.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said suitable cloud formations were expected between October 28 and 30.

Mahesh Palawat, vice president, Skymet Weather, told ETV Bharat, “There are clouds over Delhi and adjoining areas. Although the cloud height is still above the threshold value. There is sufficient moisture in the clouds for cloud seeding to take place. It will not be as intense as natural rain, but scattered rain can happen, which may help in reducing the pollution.”

Approvals came from over 10 central and state agencies. These include the Union ministries of environment, defence, and home; the Uttar Pradesh government; the Airports Authority of India; and the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security.

Following these approvals, on May 7, the Delhi Cabinet approved a plan for five cloud seeding trials, with a total budget of Rs 3.21 crore.

However, after approvals were granted, the programme encountered repeated delays due to bad weather and monsoon conditions, resulting in it missing several scheduled deadlines from late May through mid-October.

What Is Cloud Seeding?

Cloud seeding is an artificial rain-inducing technique. Substances such as silver iodide or sodium chloride are dispersed into clouds to stimulate precipitation. The rain that follows helps wash away airborne pollutants, temporarily improving air quality.

Led by IIT Kanpur under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on September 25, the project will conduct five cloud seeding trials in northwest Delhi over the next few weeks.

A preparatory test flight was conducted last week in Burari, during which small quantities of silver iodide and sodium chloride were released. No rainfall occurred due to low atmospheric moisture, which was below 20 per cent. However, the test successfully demonstrated the aircraft’s readiness and inter-agency coordination.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted permission for cloud seeding trials between October 1 and November 30 this year.

Delhi Pollution And AQI

Residents woke up to a hazy morning in Delhi as the air quality recorded an AQI of 305, staying in the “very poor” category, per CPCB.

The 24-hour average AQI on Monday stood at 301 at 4 pm. This showed only a slight improvement from previous days. Data from the CPCB’s Sameer app showed that 27 out of 38 monitoring stations in Delhi reported “very poor” air quality, with readings exceeding 300. Siri Fort recorded the highest AQI at 351. Wazirpur followed at 342.

On Saturday, October 25, Delhi’s AQI was 257, reflecting deterioration before a brief respite.

The early warning system predicts that pollutant levels are likely to rise again. AQI is expected to stay between 320 and 350, maintaining the “very poor” status. Ambient PM2.5 concentration was measured at 147 µg/m³, PM10 at 190 µg/m³ and carbon monoxide (CO) at 641 µg/m³. These values far exceed safe limits. Such pollution can aggravate respiratory and heart conditions, especially among sensitive groups such as children, the elderly, and those with chronic illnesses.

Check Area-Wise AQI

Source: Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)

Delhi Weather and Weekly Outlook

According to the IMD, the minimum temperature in the national capital hovered around 18°C, while the maximum is likely to range between 29°C and 31°C.

Although clear skies and moderate temperatures have made the weather relatively pleasant, experts caution that low wind speeds hinder the dispersion of pollutants. Residents are advised to minimise outdoor exposure during peak hours, wear N95 masks, and use indoor air purifiers to reduce exposure to toxic air.

On Tuesday morning, the city recorded moderate humidity of 52 per cent and gentle winds blowing at 12.2 km/h. Visibility was around 10 kilometres, making it a comfortable day for outdoor activities. Lingering pollution remains a concern.

According to the IMD, the sky was partly cloudy with mist or shallow fog in the morning. There was a chance of light rain or drizzle in the evening. The Safdarjung observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 29.5°C, 2.3°C below normal, and a minimum of 17.3°C, slightly above normal. South-easterly winds up to 14 km/h have kept humidity levels high. However, the absence of stronger winds is preventing pollutants from dispersing effectively.

Looking ahead, Delhi is expected to experience dry and sunny conditions throughout the week. Daytime temperatures will gradually rise to around 32°C by November 2, while nights will remain mild between 23°C and 25°C. Visibility will remain high at around 10 kilometres. A light evening breeze is expected to provide some comfort.

Despite the favourable weather, pollution levels are likely to fluctuate as winter approaches. Experts emphasise that consistent monitoring, stricter emission controls, and sustainable urban measures are crucial to prevent further deterioration of air quality.

Precautions For Residents

• Limit outdoor activities during morning and evening rush hours.
• Use N95 masks when stepping outdoors.
• Operate indoor air purifiers, especially for children and elderly residents.
• Stay hydrated and maintain indoor ventilation.

Also Read:

1. Three In Four Delhi-NCR Households Feeling Impact Of Toxic Air, Finds Survey
2. Can Artificial Rain Clear Delhi Smog? The Promise & Pitfalls Of Cloud Seeding