Delhi Government to Launch Cloud Seeding Amid Pollution Crisis
As Delhi’s air quality plunged to hazardous levels , the city’s government is preparing to conduct artificial rain through cloud seeding this week to curb rising pollution.
Officials confirmed that the Rekha Gupta-led administration, which came to power in February with a promise to deliver cleaner air, is awaiting final clearance from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The artificial rain operation is likely to take place between October 24 and 26, when weather conditions are expected to be favourable.
Delhi’s Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, announced last week that all preparations for the first cloud seeding trial have been completed. “Pilots have already conducted test flights over designated areas,” Sirsa said during a press briefing. He added that the IMD’s final approval will determine the exact timing of the operation.
Air Quality Plummets After Diwali Fireworks
Despite repeated appeals and restrictions, firecrackers were widely used during Diwali celebrations, worsening the capital’s already toxic air. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) crossed severe levels of 480–500 in several areas, including Anand Vihar, Punjabi Bagh, and RK Puram.
The sharp rise in pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 was attributed to stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh and stagnant weather conditions. Visibility also dropped drastically across the NCR region, forcing authorities to issue health advisories.
Doctors have warned that prolonged exposure to Delhi’s air can cause respiratory distress, asthma, and cardiovascular complications, especially among children and the elderly.
In a statement on Monday, CM Rekha Gupta said the government is treating the situation as a public health emergency. “Artificial rain is not a magic fix, but it can help temporarily reduce the pollutant concentration,” she noted.
How Artificial Rain Works
The cloud seeding technology aims to induce rain by dispersing chemicals like silver iodide and sodium chloride into moisture-laden clouds using aircraft. These particles encourage condensation, which can trigger rainfall if conditions are suitable.
According to IMD officials, for successful cloud seeding, there must be at least 60–70% cloud coverage and appropriate wind and humidity conditions. Delhi’s recent weather forecast suggests that such conditions may appear later this week, allowing the trial to proceed.
Delhi had earlier explored the artificial rain option in 2018 and 2023, but the plans fell through due to unfavourable weather conditions. This time, authorities are optimistic, with updated satellite tracking and assistance from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur scientists, who have been guiding the technical aspects of the project.
Environmental experts believe that even a brief spell of rainfall can help wash away suspended dust particles and reduce PM2.5 concentration by up to 35%. However, they caution that such measures offer only temporary relief unless accompanied by stronger emission control policies.
Political and Public Response
The artificial rain plan has drawn mixed reactions from environmental groups and political opponents. While many welcomed the government’s proactive move, critics questioned its long-term impact.
Opposition leaders argued that the Gupta administration has failed to control firecracker use and crop residue burning, which are recurring contributors to Delhi’s winter smog.
In response, Environment Minister Sirsa defended the initiative, saying, “We cannot change agricultural patterns overnight. Artificial rain is an emergency step to protect citizens while broader measures continue.”
He also added that the government has been coordinating with neighboring states to manage stubble burning incidents and will soon roll out a winter action plan focusing on vehicle emissions and waste management.
Delhi Residents Await Relief
Residents across Delhi expressed cautious optimism about the artificial rain plan. Many hope the rainfall will bring much-needed respite from the choking air that blankets the city every post-Diwali season.
Schools have been advised to restrict outdoor activities, and the Delhi health department has urged citizens to use masks and air purifiers indoors. The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) is also monitoring pollution data round the clock to measure the impact of the upcoming operation.
If successful, this week’s cloud seeding experiment could serve as a pilot model for other polluted cities like Mumbai, Lucknow, and Kolkata, where air quality often dips during winter.
As Delhi braces for the artificial rain, the initiative marks a crucial test for Chief Minister Rekha Gupta’s government, which has pledged to make air quality improvement its top agenda.