Delhi Artificial Rain: Environment Minister Says City Ready for Cl
News THE ECONOMIC TIMES, livelaw.in, LAW, LAWYERS NEAR ME, LAWYERS NEAR BY ME, LIVE LAW, THE TIMES OF INDIA, HINDUSTAN TIMES, the indian express, LIVE LAW .INGovernment Plans Artificial Rain in Delhi to Tackle Severe Air Pollution; IIT Kanpur to Lead Cloud Seeding Operation
New Delhi, November 10, 2025, Monday
As the national capital continues to battle hazardous air pollution levels, Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai has announced that the city is prepared to conduct artificial rain through cloud seeding to mitigate the worsening smog crisis. The plan, developed in coordination with experts from IIT Kanpur, aims to bring temporary relief from the severe air quality that has gripped Delhi and surrounding NCR regions for weeks.
Delhi’s Air Emergency Deepens
Over the past week, Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has hovered between 450 and 490, categorizing it as “Severe” — a level where breathing outdoors is equivalent to smoking 20 cigarettes a day. Visibility has dropped across major highways and airports, prompting repeated health advisories and partial shutdowns of schools.
The Environment Department confirmed that preparations for artificial rainfall are nearly complete and will be executed once the meteorological conditions — particularly sufficient cloud density and humidity — are favorable.
“We are ready for cloud seeding. IIT Kanpur’s team has been monitoring atmospheric data, and as soon as suitable conditions emerge, the artificial rain process will begin,” said Gopal Rai during a press briefing.
How Artificial Rain Works
Artificial rain, or cloud seeding, involves dispersing silver iodide or sodium chloride particles into moisture-laden clouds using aircraft or drones. These particles act as nuclei that help clouds form rain droplets, potentially resulting in precipitation.
The technique has been used successfully in other countries, such as China, Thailand, and the UAE, to reduce smog and increase rainfall during dry periods. In India, this marks one of the first major attempts by a metropolitan government to deploy AI-guided weather modification technology for air pollution control.
According to IIT Kanpur researchers, the team has equipped two aircraft with specialized cloud-seeding equipment. Once atmospheric parameters — like wind patterns, humidity, and temperature gradients — align, they expect to induce light to moderate rainfall over targeted parts of Delhi and NCR.
Pilot Plan and Execution Zones
The artificial rain operation will initially cover north and central Delhi, including high-pollution zones like Anand Vihar, Rohini, ITO, and Dwarka. The objective is to settle airborne pollutants such as PM2.5 and PM10 particles, which are responsible for respiratory illnesses and reduced visibility.
The Delhi government has reportedly requested clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to ensure safe and effective operation.
Officials emphasized that the plan is being executed in two phases:
- Phase 1: Trial-based cloud seeding and data monitoring.
- Phase 2: Wider-scale deployment if initial results show effective pollutant reduction.
IIT Kanpur’s Role and Scientific Collaboration
IIT Kanpur, which has conducted years of research on artificial precipitation and aerosol dispersion, is spearheading the technical component of the project. The institute’s previous cloud-seeding experiments in Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra demonstrated a 25–30% success rate under optimal conditions.
“We are hopeful that even mild rainfall will help wash away a significant portion of the suspended particles choking Delhi’s atmosphere,” said Professor Manindra Agrawal, who leads the project.
The operation also integrates AI-driven forecasting tools to predict the most effective window for seeding, using real-time meteorological satellite data from INSAT-3D and Doppler radar systems.
Political and Public Reactions
Delhi residents, weary of recurring pollution crises, have largely welcomed the announcement, though environmental activists caution that artificial rain is a short-term fix.
“Cloud seeding is an emergency response, not a solution. The government must still focus on long-term pollution control — vehicular emissions, stubble burning, and construction dust,” said Sunita Narain, Director of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE).
Opposition leaders questioned the timing and cost of the initiative, arguing that the government should prioritize stricter enforcement of emission norms rather than weather modification experiments.
Health Impact and Immediate Relief Measures
As air quality remains at “severe” levels, hospitals have reported a 40% surge in respiratory illness cases, especially among children and the elderly. The Delhi government has extended the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) Stage IV, which includes:
- Suspension of construction and demolition activities.
- Restrictions on truck entry into Delhi (except essential goods).
- 50% staff attendance in government offices.
- Promotion of work-from-home for private organizations.
If the artificial rain operation succeeds, authorities expect a temporary AQI improvement of 100–150 points, enough to bring the air quality down to “poor” or “moderate” levels.
Key Highlights
- Delhi government ready for cloud seeding to combat toxic smog.
- IIT Kanpur to execute artificial rain operation using aircraft.
- Target zones: North and central Delhi, including Anand Vihar and ITO.
- Goal: Settle PM2.5 and PM10 pollutants, improve visibility, and ease health strain.
- AI-based forecasting ensures precision in timing and deployment.
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