Delhi may conduct its inaugural cloud seeding operation today, pending favorable weather conditions in Kanpur where the designated aircraft is currently stationed, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced.
Weather-Dependent Operations
The minister outlined specific conditions required for the operation: “Regarding cloud seeding, as soon as the weather clears up in Kanpur, our aircraft will take off from there today. If it succeeds in taking off from there, cloud seeding will be done in Delhi today. Through that cloud seeding, there will be rainfall in Delhi. Right now, the visibility in Kanpur is 2000 metres. Visibility of 5000 metres is being awaited there. Visibility is low in Delhi too. We hope that this will be possible by 12.30-1 pm. Then it will take off from there, do cloud seeding here and return,” Sirsa stated.
Understanding Cloud Seeding Technology
Cloud seeding involves introducing specialized substances—silver iodide, dry ice, iodized salt, and rock salt—into clouds to induce precipitation. The IIT Kanpur-developed formulation specifically incorporates silver iodide nanoparticles, iodized salt, and rock salt, deployable via aircraft, rockets, or ground-based equipment.
Addressing Delhi’s Air Quality Emergency
The initiative responds to Delhi’s severe pollution crisis. During the 2024-25 winter, the capital registered as India’s most polluted megacity with average PM2.5 concentrations of 175 micrograms per cubic meter, according to Centre for Science and Environment analysis.
The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC) reports that Delhi’s air pollution reduces residents’ life expectancy by 11.9 years compared to WHO guidelines.
Current Air Quality Status
As of 8 AM today, Delhi’s Air Quality Index stood at 306 in the ‘very poor’ category, per Central Pollution Control Board data. Area-specific readings included Anand Vihar (321), RK Puram (320), Siri Fort (350), Bawana (336), Burari Crossing (326), Dwarka Sector 8 (316), Mundka (324), Narela (303), and Punjabi Bagh (323).
Project Timeline and Delays
The Delhi government signed an MOU with IIT Kanpur on September 25 for five cloud seeding trials, all planned for northwest Delhi at Rs 3.21 crore total cost approved by the Cabinet on May 7.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation granted permission for trials between October 1 and November 30. However, operations have faced multiple postponements due to unfavorable weather and monsoon conditions since initial May-end deadlines.
