Overview
- Two sorties on October 28 over Burari, Karol Bagh and Mayur Vihar produced no rainfall in Delhi, with only light precipitation reported in Noida and Greater Noida.
- IIT-Kanpur said cloud moisture was about 15%, far below the level typically needed to induce rain, and stated further operations will pause until conditions improve.
- Officials cited short-term PM2.5 and PM10 drops of roughly 6–10% at selected sites, but an Indian Express analysis of CPCB and DPCC data found improvements began earlier and later fluctuated, challenging attribution.
- Air quality showed no clear relief, with Delhi’s average AQI slipping to very poor on Wednesday and touching the severe range on Thursday morning.
- IIT-Kanpur estimated about Rs 60 lakh for the two October 28 trials and Rs 25–30 crore for a winter-long program, as opposition parties criticized the spending and a ‘rain theft’ complaint was filed by the Delhi Pradesh Youth Congress.