Five cloud seeding trials planned in Delhi; some experts call artificial rain a 'band-aid solution'

In a bid to combat air pollution, the Delhi government will carry out cloud seeding trials at five different locations in the city towards the end of this month. However, the final spots for these trials will depend on the weather conditions, especially the presence of clouds and moisture in the air, news agency PTI reported.

For safety reasons, areas like Lutyens’ Delhi and the surroundings of the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport will not be included in these trials.

What is cloud seeding?

Cloud seeding is a scientific process used to help clouds produce more rain. It is being tested in Delhi as a possible way to reduce air pollution. The idea is that artificial rain can help clean the air by bringing down pollutants.

Each of the five cloud-seeding trials will be conducted on separate days, with flights operating for about one to one-and-a-half hours for injecting chemicals into clouds.

The administration has decided to spread out the trials over different days, so that it helps the scientists understand how well the method works in various weather conditions.

Decision on exact locations

IIT Kanpur, which is leading the experiment from planning to execution, will select the sites based on various scientific and logistical factors. Manindra Agarwal from IIT Kanpur, the institution in charge of the project, explained that they will only conduct trials where there are enough clouds and moisture in the air.

“The idea is to do trials in locations where there are ample clouds and sufficient moisture. Therefore, it is not feasible to fix locations. The five locations will depend on moisture availability and pre-existing cloud formation,” Hindustan Times quoted Manindra Agarwal as saying.

The Delhi Cabinet had approved this plan on May 7. The total budget for the project is Rs 3.21 crore. The first trial will aim to cover an area of about 100 square kilometres. However, before the trial can begin, approvals will be needed from 13 different government departments at both the central and state levels.

Although the formal approval letter from the Delhi government has not yet been received, IIT Kanpur says it is ready to start the trials. “We are yet to receive a formal document from the Delhi government, but we are prepared for the trial. We will look at seven-day forecasts, which will tell us the moisture availability expected ahead,” Agarwal added.

Meanwhile, some experts have raised concerns about this method. They have called cloud seeding a short-term fix or “band-aid solution.” These experts believe that the money should instead be spent on more permanent ways to control pollution, HT reported.

This is not the first time Delhi has considered artificial rain. In the winter of 2023, the Aam Aadmi Party government had planned similar trials, but failed to carry out the experiment citing unfavourable meteorological conditions. The plan was brought up again last winter, but the government said it couldn’t move forward because it didn’t get the necessary approvals from the central government.