Archive · 31 Oct 2025
IIT-Kanpur Director Defends Cloud Seeding as SOS Measure Amidst Pollution Concerns
Imagine Delhi has very bad air, like a really big cough.
Scientists tried a special trick called cloud seeding, which is like trying to tickle the clouds to make them rain.
They used a tiny bit of salt and silver.
The trick didn't make it rain this time because the clouds didn't have enough water.
A scientist said it's like an emergency button, not a regular fix.
The real solution is to stop making so much pollution.
Some people worry that the silver might hurt plants or water, but the scientists say they used a super tiny amount that is safe.
They developed this technology themselves in India.
They will try again when the clouds are better.
IIT-Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal stated cloud seeding is a safe 'SOS measure' for extreme pollution, using minimal chemicals like salt and silver iodide.
Recent cloud seeding trials in Delhi did not result in artificial rain due to insufficient moisture content in the clouds.
The trials provided valuable data for future operations, which will resume when favorable weather conditions return.
Agrawal emphasized that cloud seeding is not a permanent solution; reducing emissions at the source is crucial for long-term air quality improvement.
Environmentalists have raised concerns about potential silver iodide accumulation, while IIT-Kanpur asserts the used concentrations are ecologically safe.
- Who
- IIT-Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal and his team
- What
- Defended cloud seeding as a safe 'SOS measure' for extreme pollution and clarified that recent trials in Delhi, though unsuccessful in inducing rain, provided valuable data.
- When
- Tuesday (referring to recent trials); Ongoing (regarding trials resuming when conditions improve)
- Where
- Delhi
- Why
- To tackle extreme pollution levels and provide scientific insights for future operations, despite environmentalists' concerns about silver iodide accumulation.
Environmentalists
IIT-Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal
Potential Environmental Impact
Environmentalists
Expressed concerns about the potential accumulation of silver iodide in soil and water, which could affect crops, aquatic life, and drinking water quality.
IIT-Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal
Maintained that the concentrations of silver iodide used are negligible and do not pose ecological risks, emphasizing the small quantities and safety of the chemicals.
Role of Cloud Seeding
Environmentalists
Implied that reliance on such measures may distract from fundamental solutions to pollution.
IIT-Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal
Described cloud seeding as an 'SOS measure' to tackle extreme pollution, acknowledging it's not a permanent solution and emphasizing the need for emission reduction at the source.
- Organization
- IIT-Kanpur
- Lead Scientist
- Manindra Agrawal
- Location of Trials
- Delhi
- Trial Dates
- Tuesday
- Seeding Material
- Common salt and small amount of silver iodide
- Amount of Silver Iodide Used
- Less than 10 grams per square kilometre
- Previous Successful Trials
- Kanpur (2017-18)
