In a bold and unprecedented move to combat the worsening air quality in the capital, the Delhi government is set to launch its first-ever artificial rain project through cloud seeding between July 4 and July 11. The initiative aims to bring relief to residents from the city’s chronic pollution woes and has received full technical backing from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
The project — officially titled “Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation” — marks a significant step forward in India’s environmental engineering efforts.
A ₹3.21 Crore Mission for Clean Air
The total cost of this ambitious pollution-control exercise is pegged at ₹3.21 crore, with each trial scheduled to last approximately 90 minutes. During these sorties, a special mixture of nanoparticles and salt will be released from an aircraft into suitable moisture-laden clouds to trigger rainfall.
The silver iodide-based mix, developed by IIT Kanpur, includes iodised salt and rock salt. The compounds are known to encourage the condensation of water droplets in the atmosphere, a process critical to inducing artificial rainfall.
So far, seven successful cloud seeding tests have been carried out by IIT Kanpur in drought-prone areas using the same aircraft and flare systems. These earlier trials laid the groundwork for what will now be Delhi’s first real-time urban cloud seeding experiment.
How Will Artificial Rain Work?
According to the plan, five aircraft sorties will be conducted across low-security airspaces in northwest and outer Delhi. Each aircraft will be fitted with dedicated flare systems designed to inject the chemical mixture into the cloud base.
The process relies heavily on favorable weather conditions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has already evaluated and confirmed the meteorological feasibility for cloud seeding over the National Capital Region (NCR) during the first week of July.
“Our aim is to give Delhiites clean air. That’s why we’re taking this bold step of artificial rain,” said Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
DGCA Approval and Safety Protocols
The operation has received clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Authorities are taking extensive precautions to ensure airspace safety and minimal disruption during the sorties.
Delhi’s Environment Department, in coordination with IIT Kanpur and meteorological agencies, will monitor each phase of the experiment closely. Weather balloons and radar systems will assist in real-time observation of cloud formation and rain patterns.
A Political Push for Environmental Innovation
The project has the support of Delhi’s newly elected BJP-led government under Mayor Rekha Gupta, signaling a proactive shift toward technological solutions for long-standing urban problems. While critics have often questioned the efficacy of cloud seeding, this project is being viewed as a “technology demonstrator”, aiming to assess the viability of large-scale implementation.
The results of this week’s artificial rain initiative will determine whether cloud seeding can become a long-term strategy for pollution control in India’s megacities.
A Ray of Hope for the Capital
Delhi consistently ranks among the most polluted cities in the world, especially during post-monsoon and winter months. If successful, the cloud seeding operation could become a game-changer — not only for NCR but also as a model for other polluted urban centers.
Experts believe that artificial rain can temporarily settle particulate matter and improve air quality, offering much-needed relief during high-pollution episodes. While not a permanent fix, it may become a valuable tool in a broader climate and pollution management strategy.
As the skies over Delhi prepare for a possible man-made downpour, residents wait with cautious optimism. The capital’s first flirtation with artificial rain is more than just a scientific experiment — it’s a symbol of hope in the fight for clean air.
