Overview

• The Delhi government’s pilot, titled ‘Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation,’ reached approval stage in May and awaits suitable weather conditions.
• IIT Kanpur will fly up to five specially equipped Cessna sorties carrying silver iodide nanoparticle, iodized salt and rock salt flares over northwest and outer Delhi.
• The India Meteorological Department will supply six-hour forecasts on cloud moisture, altitude, wind and dew point to guide each seeding mission.
• Each 90-minute flight will cover about 100 square kilometres while avoiding restricted airspace and real-time air quality changes will be tracked via Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations.
• Final operational clearances from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation and approved flight plans are the only outstanding prerequisites before seeding can commence.