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Delhi is set to witness its first-ever artificial rain through cloud seeding, marking a significant technological milestone in the capital's fight against air pollution. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that preparations have been completed after experts successfully conducted a trial test in the Burari area on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The India Meteorological Department has predicted cloudy conditions on October 28, 29, and 30, with the first artificial rain likely on October 29 if the weather remains favorable.
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that enhances precipitation by dispersing substances like silver iodide or salt particles into clouds. These particles act as nuclei around which water vapor condenses and eventually falls as rain. Two major types exist: hygroscopic cloud seeding (using salt-based particles in warm clouds) and glaciogenic cloud seeding (using silver iodide in supercooled clouds).
The trial seeding flight was conducted from IIT Kanpur to Delhi via Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Bhojpur, and Aligarh. Cloud seeding flares were fired between Khekra and Burari and over the Badli area using pyrotechnical techniques. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that all technical parameters were successful, with aircraft fitment, seeding flare deployment, and coordination between participating agencies now complete.
The materials are deployed from a modified Cessna 206-H aircraft (VT-IIT) stationed in Meerut, with flares mounted on wings that ignite to disperse particles at specific altitudes. The technique only works when target clouds contain at least 50% moisture and are located between 500 and 6,000 meters above ground.
Expected Impact and Limitations
Artificial rain could lower Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) by 50-80 points, depending on the spread and intensity. If Delhi's AQI is in the "very poor" category (300-400), successful rain might bring it to "poor" or "moderate" levels by washing out PM2.5 and PM10 particles. However, this effect is temporary, with AQI levels rebounding within days unless core emission sources are tackled. Experts emphasize that cloud seeding offers only short-term relief and should not replace structural reforms addressing traffic, construction dust, industry, and biomass burning.
Cloud Seeding Initiative
The trial seeding flight was conducted from IIT Kanpur to Delhi via Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Bhojpur, and Aligarh. Cloud seeding flares were fired between Khekra and Burari and over the Badli area using pyrotechnical techniques. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that all technical parameters were successful, with aircraft fitment, seeding flare deployment, and coordination between participating agencies now complete.
www.outlookindia.com
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that enhances precipitation by dispersing substances like silver iodide or salt particles into clouds. These particles act as nuclei around which water vapor condenses and eventually falls as rain. Two major types exist: hygroscopic cloud seeding (using salt-based particles in warm clouds) and glaciogenic cloud seeding (using silver iodide in supercooled clouds).
The trial seeding flight was conducted from IIT Kanpur to Delhi via Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Bhojpur, and Aligarh. Cloud seeding flares were fired between Khekra and Burari and over the Badli area using pyrotechnical techniques. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that all technical parameters were successful, with aircraft fitment, seeding flare deployment, and coordination between participating agencies now complete.
The materials are deployed from a modified Cessna 206-H aircraft (VT-IIT) stationed in Meerut, with flares mounted on wings that ignite to disperse particles at specific altitudes. The technique only works when target clouds contain at least 50% moisture and are located between 500 and 6,000 meters above ground.
Expected Impact and Limitations
Artificial rain could lower Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) by 50-80 points, depending on the spread and intensity. If Delhi's AQI is in the "very poor" category (300-400), successful rain might bring it to "poor" or "moderate" levels by washing out PM2.5 and PM10 particles. However, this effect is temporary, with AQI levels rebounding within days unless core emission sources are tackled. Experts emphasize that cloud seeding offers only short-term relief and should not replace structural reforms addressing traffic, construction dust, industry, and biomass burning.
Cloud Seeding Initiative
The trial seeding flight was conducted from IIT Kanpur to Delhi via Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Bhojpur, and Aligarh. Cloud seeding flares were fired between Khekra and Burari and over the Badli area using pyrotechnical techniques. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that all technical parameters were successful, with aircraft fitment, seeding flare deployment, and coordination between participating agencies now complete.
Artificial Rain in Delhi: Cloud Seeding Trial Successful; First Rain Expected on October 29 | Outlook India
Delhi is set for its first-ever artificial rain through cloud seeding on October 29, 2025, to combat air pollution, following successful trials in Burari and favorable weather forecasts by the IMD.
