Delhi Launches Cloud Seeding to Combat Pollution
Delhi is set to conduct its first cloud seeding operation between August 30 and September 10, 2025. This initiative aims to reduce air pollution by triggering artificial rainfall. The project was postponed from July following expert advice from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. The Rs 3.21 crore project will use five modified Cessna aircraft to seed clouds over northwest and outer Delhi.
What Is Cloud Seeding?
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique. It involves adding substances like silver iodide, dry ice, or salt particles to clouds. These materials encourage cloud droplets to form and fall as rain or snow. The process requires existing clouds and can increase rainfall by 5-15 per cent. It is used to address water scarcity, reduce hail, or clear fog.
Delhi’s Air Pollution Challenge
Delhi faces severe air pollution year-round. In winter 2024-25, the city recorded an average PM2.5 level of 175 micrograms per cubic metre, far above safe limits. This pollution lowers life expectancy by nearly 12 years compared to World Health Organisation (WHO) standards. The government seeks cloud seeding as a temporary measure to improve air quality.
Project Details and Execution
The cloud seeding project will deploy five aircraft covering about 100 square kilometres per sortie. Each flight will last around 90 minutes. The seeding agents include silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt, and rock salt, developed by IIT Kanpur. The initial target zones are low-security air areas in northwest and outer Delhi.
Why the Date Shift?
The original plan was to conduct cloud seeding in early July. Experts advised postponing due to unsuitable monsoon cloud patterns at that time. Effective cloud seeding needs stable moisture-rich clouds. Late August and early September offer better conditions, increasing the chances of success.
Effectiveness and Limitations
Experts caution that cloud seeding is not a long-term solution. It acts as a stopgap during acute pollution episodes but does not address pollution sources. The pilot’s timing during the monsoon may not reflect winter conditions when pollution peaks. Real impact assessment requires trials in typical pollution seasons.
Broader Environmental Implications
Cloud seeding raises questions about ecological effects and resource use. Artificial rain may affect local water cycles and weather patterns. The technology’s cost-effectiveness and scalability for sustained pollution control remain uncertain. It is one among many tools needed to tackle urban air pollution.
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