Archive · 29 Oct 2025
Delhi Cloud Seeding Trials Fail to Induce Rain Amid Low Moisture Levels
Scientists in Delhi tried to make it rain using special chemicals sprayed from planes to help clean the very polluted air.
They tried this on Tuesday, but there wasn't enough water in the clouds for it to rain much.
Only a tiny bit of rain was seen in nearby areas.
The head scientist from IIT Kanpur explained that cloud seeding needs more moisture than what was available.
He also said that this is like an emergency tool, not a permanent fix for pollution.
Even though it didn't rain, the government reported that the pollution levels dropped a little in some places.
More attempts are planned if the weather conditions are better.
Delhi government, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, conducted two cloud seeding trials on Tuesday to induce artificial rain aimed at reducing air pollution.
The experiments, costing approximately Rs 64 lakh per trial, involved spraying silver iodide and sodium chloride mixture from a Cessna aircraft over Northwest Delhi.
Scientists, including IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal, stated the trials were not completely successful due to low moisture content (15-20%) in the clouds, which is insufficient for significant rainfall.
While no rain was recorded in Delhi, the government reported a reduction in PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels in targeted areas following the seeding attempts.
IIT Kanpur and other experts emphasize that cloud seeding is an emergency measure and not a permanent solution for Delhi's chronic pollution problem, with more trials planned under suitable atmospheric conditions.
- Who
- Delhi Government and IIT Kanpur
- What
- Conducted cloud seeding trials to induce artificial rain to combat air pollution, but the experiments did not result in significant rainfall due to low cloud moisture.
- When
- Tuesday (October 28), with plans for more trials on Wednesday and future suitable days.
- Where
- Northwest Delhi (Burari, Mayur Vihar, Karol Bagh) and surrounding areas.
- Why
- To reduce high air pollution levels and improve Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) by inducing artificial rain.
IIT Kanpur & Delhi Govt.
Skeptics & Experts
Effectiveness of Cloud Seeding Trials
IIT Kanpur & Delhi Govt.
The trials are considered technically informative and have provided confidence for future attempts, with a reported reduction in particulate matter levels.
Skeptics & Experts
The trials were not fully successful as they failed to induce significant rainfall in Delhi, and experts question the practicality and success rate with such low moisture conditions.
Cloud Seeding as a Solution for Pollution
IIT Kanpur & Delhi Govt.
Cloud seeding is viewed as an 'SOS solution' for emergency situations to temporarily mitigate extreme pollution and is a tool to be used when pollution sources are not yet controlled.
Skeptics & Experts
Experts and professors have criticized cloud seeding as a 'gimmick' and a misapplication of science, stating it is not a permanent fix for Delhi's pollution crisis and the focus should be on controlling pollution sources.
- Cost of Trials
- Rs 3.21 crore for five trials (approx. Rs 64 lakh per trial)
- Date of Trials
- Tuesday (October 28)
- Executing Agency
- IIT Kanpur in collaboration with Delhi Government
- Aircraft Used
- Cessna aircraft
- Seeding Material
- Silver iodide and sodium chloride compounds
- Flares Deployed
- 16 flares (8 in each trial)
- Cloud Moisture Content
- 15-20% (considered low)
- Reported Impact
- Reduction in PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels in targeted areas; no significant rainfall in Delhi
Sources
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₹1.28 crore spent on artificial rain in Delhi, but no rainfall recorded
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IIT Kanpur Director explains why cloud seeding didn’t cause rain in Delhi; another attempt planned today
