Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday, October 24, 2025, that preparations for artificial rain through cloud seeding have been successfully completed in the Burari area. This marks a historic first for the capital, with the Delhi government gearing up for its inaugural artificial rainfall, potentially as early as October 29, if weather conditions remain favorable.

The Delhi government, led by the BJP, has been working tirelessly to implement cloud seeding as a scientific solution to combat the city’s worsening air quality, particularly during the winter months. CM Gupta, in a post on X, shared that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecasted cloud presence on October 28, 29, and 30, creating an opportunity for this innovative initiative. “This is not just a technical achievement but a step toward cleaner air and a balanced environment for Delhi,” she stated, emphasizing the project’s potential to revolutionize pollution control.

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that involves dispersing substances like silver iodide or salt into clouds to enhance precipitation. These particles act as nuclei, encouraging water vapor to condense into droplets or ice crystals that fall as rain or snow. First pioneered in 1946 by American chemist Vincent J. Schaefer, the method was later refined by Bernard Vonnegut using silver iodide. In Delhi, this technique is being explored as a viable tool to wash away pollutants and improve air quality during high-pollution periods.

Also Read: Delhi Chokes on Smog While Ministers are Protected by Secretariat Air Purifiers

The initiative, a collaboration between the Delhi government and IIT Kanpur, was formalized last month through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for five cloud seeding trials in northwest Delhi. Approved by 23 departments, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the project will utilize a Cessna 206-H aircraft (VT-IIT) operated by IIT Kanpur’s Department of Aerospace Engineering. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and the IMD are also key partners in this ambitious endeavor.

The cloud seeding operations, authorized between October 1 and November 30, 2025, adhere to strict safety, security, and air traffic control guidelines under Rule 26(2) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937. Funds have already been allocated to IIT Kanpur, which will deploy its aircraft for the trials. The successful test in Burari on Friday has raised hopes that artificial rain could soon provide relief from Delhi’s smog-filled skies.

Delhi’s air quality remains a pressing concern, with the 24-hour average Air Quality Index (AQI) recorded at 305 on Thursday, October 23, classified as “very poor” for the fourth consecutive day, according to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). While stronger surface winds offered slight relief by dispersing pollutants, Anand Vihar recorded an alarming AQI of 410, the highest among the city’s 38 monitoring stations. Of these, 23 stations reported “very poor” air quality, while 14 were in the “poor” category, as per the CPCB’s Sameer app.

Delhi ranked as the fifth most-polluted city in India on Thursday, with Bahadurgarh, Haryana, topping the list at an AQI of 325. The Centre’s Air Quality Early Warning System (EWS) forecasts that Delhi’s AQI will likely remain “very poor” until Saturday, fluctuating between “poor” and “very poor” over the next six days. The CPCB categorizes AQI as follows: 0-50 (“good”), 51-100 (“satisfactory”), 101-200 (“moderate”), 201-300 (“poor”), 301-400 (“very poor”), and 401-500 (“severe”).

The cloud seeding initiative represents a bold and innovative approach to addressing Delhi’s air pollution crisis. By inducing artificial rain, the government aims to reduce particulate matter in the atmosphere, offering temporary relief to residents and potentially setting a precedent for other polluted cities. As Delhi awaits its first artificial rainfall, the success of the Burari test has sparked optimism about a cleaner, healthier future for the capital.

Residents are encouraged to stay informed through IMD updates and take necessary precautions as air quality remains a concern. With cloud seeding on the horizon, Delhi may soon see a literal and figurative clearing of its skies.

Also Read: AAP Dares BJP: Drink Yamuna Water to Prove It’s Clean