Delhi ready for artificial rain as IIT-Kanpur gears up for crucial cloud seeding test

Artificial rain

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has formally authorised the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur to conduct cloud seeding operations in the national capital. According to a TOI report, the permission window extends from October 1 to November 30.

This initiative is a key part of the Delhi government's strategy to combat the city's severe winter air pollution.

Delhi's Environment Minister, Manjinder Singh Sirsa, has provided the first potential dates for the experimental flights. He indicated that the trials could take place between October 9 and 11 in parts of north Delhi.

Minister Sirsa stated that the project aims to provide relief from pollution during the critical months of November and December. The operations will be carried out using IIT Kanpur's Cessna aircraft, which will be flown from the Hindon airbase.

The DGCA's approval, detailed in a letter dated September 23, is not unconditional. IIT Kanpur must adhere to several strict protocols. These include securing prior clearance from air traffic control for each flight.

The aircraft is prohibited from flying over restricted or prohibited zones. Furthermore, the permission explicitly forbids any aerial photography or survey work and mandates that no foreign crew be involved in the operations.

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique designed to enhance rainfall. It involves introducing specific substances, often salts like silver iodide, into clouds. These particles act as nuclei around which moisture can aggregate, eventually becoming heavy enough to fall as rain.

The plan reportedly involves a maximum of five sorties. Each flight is expected to cover an area of 100 square kilometres and last for at least ninety minutes over non-sensitive zones.

The Delhi government had announced its intention to pursue cloud seeding soon after returning to power. Minister Sirsa has emphasised that safety and analysis are integral to the project.

He confirmed that after the seeding trials, water samples from the induced rainfall will be collected. A proper study will then be conducted to ensure the rainwater contains no harmful chemicals.

The success of these trials could pave the way for a larger-scale deployment of the technology later in the year when air quality typically plummets to hazardous levels.