Delhi to test artificial rain between July 4–11 to combat air pollution

The Delhi government plans to conduct its first-ever artificial rain trial, deploying cloud seeding from July 4 to 11, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced.

The initiative—led by IIT Kanpur in consultation with the India Meteorological Department (IMD)—aims to reduce air pollution as part of the “Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi–NCR Pollution Mitigation” project.

According to IMD, conditions are unlikely to be suitable before July 3. The planned trial involves five aircraft sorties, each lasting roughly 90 minutes and covering about 100 km² over low-security zones in north-west and outer Delhi, including areas like Rohini, Bawana, Alipur, Burari, and adjacent UP regions such as Loni and Baghpat.

These flights will deploy a silver iodide-based seeding mixture—blended with iodised and rock salt—via flare systems on modified Cessna aircraft, aiming to catalyze raindrop formation in moisture-rich (≥50%) nimbostratus clouds.

Execution awaits final approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), with the government having requested alternative backup dates if weather targets aren’t met within the July 4–11 window.

Post‑trial, the authorities plan to collect rainwater samples and monitor PM2.5 and PM10 levels via Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) to assess efficacy .