New Delhi: Delhi may witness another attempt at artificial rainfall in the coming days as the government prepares to explore cloud seeding as a possible measure against rising air pollution. A team from IIT-Kanpur is ready to experiment, but the operation remains dependent on favourable weather conditions.
Officials said the aircraft and other arrangements are in place. However, the exercise can proceed only if clouds contain adequate moisture to support precipitation. Once suitable conditions are identified, the team will finalise the flight route and begin the operation.
The proposed trials come after an earlier cloud-seeding experiment on October 28, 2025, when two consecutive operations were conducted over parts of the capital. A small aircraft released silver iodide and sodium chloride particles through chemical flares to encourage rainfall.
Cloud seeding involves dispersing substances into existing clouds to stimulate processes that may promote the formation of ice crystals and water droplets. The technique can potentially enhance precipitation, but its effectiveness depends heavily on atmospheric conditions, including cloud composition and moisture levels.
Delhi’s previous experiment, however, produced little to no rainfall across the capital and neighbouring areas. The outcome prompted questions from experts about whether the technique could deliver meaningful results in combating the city’s persistent pollution problem.
With another attempt under consideration, authorities are looking to assess the potential of artificial rain as an additional intervention against deteriorating air quality. However, the upcoming exercise is not guaranteed to produce rainfall, as the results will depend on whether the prevailing weather conditions are suitable for cloud seeding.
