Two Cloud Seeding Trials Completed for Artificial Rain to Reduce Pollution in Delhi

To control the rising levels of air pollution in Delhi, the Delhi government has conducted two cloud seeding trials to bring artificial rain over the last 15 days. According to reports by News18 and PTI, these experiments were carried out in the area near the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) airport. The government is now examining the possibility of further cloud seeding attempts to bring artificial rain if there is a significant spike in pollution levels after the festivals of Diwali and Chhath Puja.

A significant difference was observed in these recent trials. According to reports by News18 and NDTV, this cloud seeding process was conducted at an altitude of approximately 30,000 metres. This altitude is considerably higher compared to last year's trials, whereas the trials conducted in 2025 were carried out at an altitude of approximately 10,000 metres. According to a report by Mint, substances such as silver iodide and sodium chloride were used in this process to attempt to induce rain.

The air pollution situation in Delhi is currently extremely severe. According to NDTV, Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) is currently 367, which falls under the 'Very Poor' category. In some areas, pollution levels have reached the 'Severe' stage. The highest AQI of 459 was recorded in the Jahangirpuri area of North Delhi, followed by an AQI of 445 in IIT Delhi and Punjabi Bagh. PM2.5 has emerged as the primary pollutant in this pollution. Visibility has also decreased significantly due to dense smog, and there are reports of residents facing difficulty in breathing. Well-known landmarks such as India Gate have also been covered under a blanket of smog.

Pollution load is likely to increase during the Diwali festival. According to News18, emissions from firecrackers combined with vehicular pollution, construction dust, industrial emissions, and pollution caused by burning waste in neighbouring states could further worsen the situation. Additionally, low wind speed and the lack of dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere could make the situation more critical.

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique. In this process, substances such as silver iodide or salts are added to moisture-bearing clouds to facilitate the formation of water droplets or ice crystals, leading to rain. This rain can help wash away pollutants from the atmosphere, especially suspended particles, and can improve air quality on a temporary basis. This process can be carried out via aircraft, rockets, or ground-based machines.

The Delhi government has collaborated with IIT Kanpur for these artificial rain measures. Last year, on September 25, the Delhi Environment Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Kanpur. According to Mint, the project conducted last year cost approximately ₹1 crore or more, but it failed to bring rain. At that time, two rounds of trials were conducted in October, during which eight chemical flares containing silver iodide and sodium chloride were used in each operation. However, rain could not be produced as the moisture level in the atmosphere was low, at only 10-15%. The government claimed that particle levels decreased in some targeted areas, but the primary objective of bringing rain was not achieved.

According to government sources, the government does not wish to make any official announcement or confirmation regarding planning after Diwali. The government may undertake cloud seeding efforts for two to three days in the coming days, including the Chhath Puja period. However, the success of this process will depend on the availability of clouds with adequate moisture in the atmosphere and favourable weather conditions.

Environmental experts are also using words of caution regarding this matter. According to NDTV, Sunil Dahiya, founder and chief analyst of Envirocatalysts, stated, "We are not attacking the source of pollution, therefore cloud seeding will not be helpful in reducing pollution in the long run. We can use it on days when pollution levels skyrocket, such as a day after Diwali, but it is not a permanent solution to this problem."

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has also given an important decision regarding the use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR. According to NDTV, the Supreme Court has permitted the bursting of certified green firecrackers on November 7 and 8, as sufficient data is not available to impose a complete ban as a total solution to Delhi's annual pollution problem. The Court stated that the use of firecrackers will be limited to the day of Diwali and the morning before it, between 6:00 to 7:00 AM and 8:00 to 10:00 PM. A complete ban on firecrackers will be reimposed from November 9.