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2w ago

Delhi Shifts First DGCA-Approved Cloud Seeding Trials to Late August

Officials say testing cloud seeding after monsoon withdrawal will ensure optimal conditions for inducing rainfall to wash out pollutants before winter smog sets in.

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that improves a cloud’s ability to produce rain. (HT file photo)
Clouds over the Red Fort on Tuesday as the city recorded maximum and minimum at 35.1°C and 25.2°C, respectively. (Sanchit Khanna/HT Photo)
Delhi Artificial Rain Trial Postponed, To Be Conducted Near City Borders Post-Monsoon
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Overview

  • The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has granted final approval for Delhi’s first pollution-mitigation cloud seeding trial following clearances from 13 departments and a ₹3.21 crore budget allocation.
  • Meteorological experts from the India Meteorological Department and IITM Pune recommended postponing the initial July window to August 30–September 10 to align with post-monsoon cloud patterns.
  • IIT Kanpur will lead five aircraft sorties over Alipur, Bawana, Rohini, Burari, Pavi Sadakpur and adjacent Uttar Pradesh border zones using a Cessna 206-H fitted with cloud-seeding instrumentation.
  • The pilot aims to induce artificial rainfall by dispersing silver iodide, iodised salt and rock salt into moisture-rich clouds to wash airborne pollutants from the city’s outskirts.
  • Researchers caution that while cloud seeding may offer temporary air quality relief, durable improvements will depend on sustained vehicle emission and crop-burning controls.