Delhi's government is poised to conduct its inaugural cloud seeding trial today, pending favourable weather conditions in Kanpur, where the designated aircraft is stationed. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced the potential operation during a press briefing, emphasising that takeoff hinges on visibility improving from the current 2,000 metres to at least 5,000 metres.

If conditions align by 12:30-1:00 p.m., the plane will depart Kanpur, perform the seeding over northwest Delhi, and return, aiming to induce artificial rainfall amid the capital's worsening air quality. As of 8:00 a.m., the city's Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 306—categorised as "very poor" by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)—with hotspots like Siri Fort at 350 and Anand Vihar at 321, underscoring the urgency of intervention.

Cloud seeding involves dispersing specialised agents, such as silver iodide nanoparticles, iodised salt, and rock salt—formulated by IIT Kanpur—into targeted clouds to enhance precipitation. This technique, deployable via aircraft, rockets, or ground-based generators, promotes rain or snow in drought-prone areas, mitigates hail, or disperses fog, offering a non-invasive approach to environmental challenges. For Delhi's trial, the process will utilise an aeroplane to release these hygroscopic materials into cumulus clouds, encouraging water droplets to coalesce and fall as rain. The method, pioneered in the 1940s, has been employed globally for water management but remains experimental in urban pollution contexts like India's capital.

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The push for artificial rain stems from Delhi's chronic air pollution crisis, which intensifies during winter months due to stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial activity. An analysis by the Centre for Science and Environment revealed Delhi as India's most polluted megacity in the 2024-25 winter, with average PM2.5 levels reaching 175 micrograms per cubic meter—far exceeding safe limits.

A University of Chicago report further estimates that such pollution shaves 11.9 years off residents' life expectancy compared to World Health Organization standards. The Delhi Cabinet approved five trials on May 7, 2025, allocating Rs 3.21 crore, following a September 25 Memorandum of Understanding with IIT Kanpur. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation granted permissions for operations between October 1 and November 30, focusing exclusively on northwest Delhi to maximise efficacy.

This trial represents a proactive step in the government's multi-pronged anti-pollution strategy, complementing measures like the odd-even vehicle scheme and construction bans. While proponents hail cloud seeding's potential to wash out particulate matter temporarily, sceptics caution about its efficacy in densely urbanised settings and possible ecological side effects, such as altered rainfall patterns downstream. Success here could pave the way for routine applications, bolstering public health and setting a precedent for other polluted Indian cities. As the day unfolds, real-time weather monitoring will dictate the operation's fate, with Sirsa's team prepared for subsequent attempts if needed.

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