If the trials succeed, they could open a new front in the fight against seasonal smog. But success hinges on delicate meteorological conditions, careful execution, and a clear-eyed understanding that this is not a silver-bullet solution.
In an unprecedented move for the country’s capital, the Delhi government has received clearance to carry out cloud seeding experiments aimed at triggering artificial rain from October through November, in the hope of providing relief amid seasonal air pollution.
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta told reporters she was confident the state was “fully geared to fight pollution,” referencing the Centre’s approval of the cloud seeding plan.
She challenged critics, asking how the project could be feasible now if earlier objections argued it was impossible.
Her remarks come amid criticism from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which has accused the present BJP-led government in Delhi of flip-flopping – having opposed such schemes in opposition yet embracing them in power.
Delhi is preparing for what would be India’s first major artificial rain experiment. If the trials succeed, they could open a new front in the fight against seasonal smog. But success hinges on delicate meteorological conditions, careful execution, and a clear-eyed understanding that this is not a silver-bullet solution – merely a supplementary tool in the broader arsenal against pollution.
Trial Window; Technical Plan
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has granted permission to IIT Kanpur to execute cloud seeding operations in the National Capital region between October 1 and November 30, 2025.
Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa revealed that a tentative trial window is set for October 9–11, with the Hindon airbase serving as the launch point for flights over north Delhi.
The authorised aircraft is VT-IIT (Cessna 206-H), and the permissions come with key constraints: flights must stick to Visual Flight Rules (VFR), avoid restricted or prohibited airspace, no aerial photography, and no foreign crew involvement.
The DGCA’s letter also emphasizes coordination with air traffic control (ATC) and that all operations must follow approved operating manuals.
IIT Kanpur plans up to five sorties, each covering 100 square kilometres over non-sensitive zones, to test the feasibility of inducing rain. Following each run, water sampling will be done to rule out any chemical fallout.
Why Cloud Seeding?
Winter in Delhi brings stagnant air, temperature inversion, and rising levels of PM₂.₅ and other pollutants. Cloud seeding is seen as a stop-gap intervention to wash out particulates and momentarily reduce smog.
In the scheme’s budget, the Delhi cabinet had earlier approved roughly ₹3.2 crore for the project, with ₹55 lakh per trial and setup costs of approximately ₹66 lakh.
But experts caution: cloud seeding only works under specific atmospheric conditions – clouds need sufficient moisture, proper temperature gradients, and structural stability.
D. Raghunandan of the Delhi Science Forum, explains that only clouds with at least 50 per cent moisture content are viable, and even then, the increase in rainfall over natural levels is often modest (3–5 per cent).
Risks and Doubts
While proponents see this as an innovative tool, many in the scientific community remain sceptical about its real-world efficacy and environmental implications.
Some question whether artificially induced precipitation could disrupt existing weather patterns or trigger unintended outcomes like waterlogging or ecosystem imbalance. Others argue that resources should instead be channelled toward tackling emissions, vehicular pollution, industrial controls, and sustainable public transport.
If cloud conditions align, as per meteorological forecasts (IMD will provide forecasts a few days in advance), the first trials could commence in early to mid-October.
Following the trials, data will be analysed to measure pollution reduction, rainfall increase, and chemical safety. If successful, scaled-up operations may be considered during peak winter months (November–December).
However, officials and scientists alike acknowledge that cloud seeding, if used, would be a tactical add-on – not a substitute for systemic pollution control measures.
Public Reaction and Political Undercurrents
In political discourse, the AAP has criticized the Delhi government’s shift, calling out earlier opposition to cloud seeding and accusing the BJP government of inconsistency.
Many Delhi residents, fatigued by years of smog-induced health woes, have greeted the announcement with cautious hope. Yet, experts warn that expectations should remain measured: cloud seeding is not a “magic wand,” and its impact, if any, will be limited by nature’s constraints.
