Delhi plans more cloud seeding trials after Diwali to fight pollution
The Delhi government has already conducted two trial runs near the airport to explore artificial rain as a measure against air pollution.
The Delhi government is planning to carry out further cloud seeding trials after the Diwali and Chhath festivals to address rising air pollution, according to reports by The Indian Express.
Two trial runs were recently conducted near the airport and surrounding areas to evaluate weather conditions and the potential effectiveness of the process. The government may conduct more trials with assistance from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT).
Officials from the Delhi Environment Department declined to confirm if the trials took place or provide specific details regarding the government's plans. Last year, the government conducted cloud-seeding trials between October and November, though the exercise had no significant impact on the ground.
Experts have cautioned that the effectiveness of seeding-led rain in low-level clouds is uncertain. They noted that any improvements in air quality are often short-lived and require perfect alignment of timing, moisture, and cloud type, which often does not occur over the plains.
Cloud seeding is a technique used to modify suitable clouds with seed particles to increase rainfall, according to a 2024 document by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. To induce rain, clouds are typically seeded with salts like silver iodide, potassium iodide, or sodium chloride using aircraft or ground generators.