Delhi to witness artificial rain
In a bold and unprecedented move, Delhi is preparing to make it rain artificially in a bid to clear its choking skies. For the first time ever, the national capital is turning to cloud seeding to combat its notorious air pollution, and if all goes according to plan, this experimental operation will take place between July 4 and 11, pending suitable weather conditions.
Delhi to witness artificial rain
What’s the Plan?
Under the project titled ‘Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation’, the Delhi Environment Department is partnering with IIT Kanpur to pull off this science-meets-environment feat. The mission: induce rainfall to wash away the city’s dust and pollutants.
Delhi to witness artificial rain
Delhi’s newly elected government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, is hailing this as a “historic step” toward urban pollution control. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized, “We want to give Delhiites clean air. This artificial rain initiative is a bold and necessary step.”
Why Now?
Although cloud seeding has been discussed before, this is the first time it’s actually being executed in Delhi. Despite winter being the worst season for pollution, the monsoon season offers the best conditions for cloud seeding, especially when natural moisture is already present in the atmosphere.
Delhi to witness artificial rain
Sirsa explained that conditions won’t be suitable before July 3, but the window from July 4 to 11 is promising. A backup plan has also been submitted to the DGCA, in case weather throws a wrench into the operation.
How Does Cloud Seeding Work?
Cloud seeding is like weather hacking. It involves spraying chemicals like silver iodide or iodised salt into clouds, which act as nuclei for water droplets to form and eventually leading to rain. The best clouds for this process are nimbostratus clouds, which hang between 500 and 6,000 meters above the ground. Globally, success rates for cloud seeding hover around 60% to 70%, heavily dependent on real-time weather conditions.
Delhi to witness artificial rain
What Will the Operation Look Like?
IIT Kanpur has designed a special formulation for the seeding, and here’s how the experiment will unfold:
- Aircraft: A modified Cessna plane fitted with flare-based systems to disperse the chemicals.
- Flight Plan: At least five sorties, each lasting 90 minutes, covering about 100 sq km in northwest and outer Delhi.
- Execution: The operation will be carried out by IIT Kanpur scientists, who previously piloted a similar system using mist-sprinklers on smaller aircraft.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Pune is overseeing the technical side, while aviation authorities are in the loop for safety and flight approvals.
Delhi to witness artificial rain
The Politics in the Air
Of course, no major initiative in Delhi is complete without political drama. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) accused the BJP-led central government of previously blocking pollution solutions and ridiculing the idea of artificial rain.
Delhi to witness artificial rain
Environment Minister Sirsa clapped back, saying, “We moved fast by signing the MoU, paid IIT Kanpur, and secured clearances. We’re taking real action, not just talking.”
What’s Next?
Delhi now waits with bated breath and skyward gazes for the right cloud conditions. While artificial rain won’t be a long-term solution, it could offer much-needed short-term relief and valuable data for future climate interventions.
Delhi to witness artificial rain
If successful, this trial could pave the way for cloud seeding as an emergency pollution response across other cities in India. For now, all eyes are on the skies, hoping Delhi’s first artificial downpour will be the start of a cleaner, clearer chapter.
