New Delhi – The Delhi government’s ambitious attempt to combat air pollution through artificial rain has ended in disappointment, with the Delhi cloud seeding trial on Tuesday failing to produce any measurable rainfall despite costing approximately ₹1.2 crore. The expensive experiment, conducted amid ‘very poor’ air quality conditions, has sparked both scientific debate and political controversy in the national capital.
Understanding the Delhi Cloud Seeding Initiative
The Delhi cloud seeding project was approved by the cabinet on May 7, 2025, with a total budget allocation of ₹3.21 crore for five trials. Each attempt was estimated to cost roughly ₹64 lakh. Planned in partnership with IIT Kanpur, the initiative aimed to induce artificial rainfall as a measure to reduce particulate matter and improve air quality in the smog-choked city.
The project faced multiple delays before Tuesday’s trials. Initially scheduled for late May and early June, the Delhi cloud seeding experiments were first postponed to late August and early September due to the southwest monsoon’s arrival. Further delays occurred as rainfall continued in the region, pushing the trials to late October.
How the Cloud Seeding Experiment Was Conducted
On Tuesday, a Cessna aircraft operated by IIT Kanpur conducted two separate Delhi cloud seeding trials over the national capital. The small, single-propeller aircraft hovered over northwest Delhi and parts of the National Capital Region, firing a total of 16 flares—eight in each trial—containing silver iodide and sodium chloride compounds.
The first trial targeted areas including Burari and surrounding regions, Mayur Vihar, and Noida. The aircraft completed this operation by 2 pm. The second trial was conducted later in the day, taking off from Meerut around 4 pm and covering outer Delhi areas like Badli. The entire operation was completed within an hour.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa emphasized that Delhi had taken “an unprecedented, science-first step” by adopting Delhi cloud seeding as a tool to control air pollution. The minister stated that the focus was to assess how much rainfall could be triggered under the city’s real-life humidity conditions.
Why the Delhi Cloud Seeding Trial Failed
According to official reports, the primary reason for the unsuccessful Delhi cloud seeding attempt was unfavorable meteorological conditions. The moisture content predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) was extremely low, at around 10-15 percent, which is far from ideal for cloud seeding operations. Effective cloud seeding typically requires higher humidity levels to produce rainfall.
Despite the failure to produce rain, the official government report claimed that the Delhi cloud seeding trials helped reduce particulate matter at locations where the exercise was carried out, even though conditions were not optimal.
Minister Sirsa had mentioned that according to IIT Kanpur, rain could occur within 15 minutes to four hours after the exercise. However, he cautioned that rainfall wouldn’t be heavy since humidity levels were only at 15 to 20 percent. IMD data confirmed that no rainfall was recorded in Delhi until late evening.
Also Read: Heavy Metals Delhi Air: Alarming CPCB Report Reveals Toxic Presence Of PM10 Levels
Political Controversy Surrounding the Initiative
The Delhi cloud seeding project quickly became another flashpoint in the capital’s political landscape. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which led the previous government, sharply criticized the BJP-led administration’s decision to conduct trials on a day when the IMD had already forecast rain.
AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj held a press conference questioning the timing and authenticity of the experiment. “Will Lord Indra come down to clarify whether it is artificial rain or natural rain?” he asked mockingly, sharing clips from his inspection visits to check if there was actual rainfall.
The previous AAP government had first introduced the Delhi cloud seeding plan in winter 2023 but failed to implement it, citing unfavorable meteorological conditions. Last winter, AAP again proposed the program but claimed it didn’t receive the necessary flight and environmental permissions from the BJP-led central government.
Minister Sirsa has previously criticized AAP for “only talking about such plans” without taking action, highlighting the political finger-pointing surrounding pollution control measures.
Future Plans for Cloud Seeding Trials
Despite the setback, the government remains committed to the initiative. Nine to ten Delhi cloud seeding trials are planned over the coming days. The minister indicated that since the IMD informed that wind direction is towards the north, areas falling under that region would be targeted in subsequent attempts.
The government maintains that with every trial, science guides their actions, not just for winter but throughout the year. However, the success of future Delhi cloud seeding experiments will heavily depend on favorable meteorological conditions, particularly adequate humidity levels and suitable cloud formations.
Conclusion
The unsuccessful Delhi cloud seeding trial represents both the government’s willingness to explore innovative solutions for air pollution and the challenges of implementing such technology under suboptimal conditions. As more trials are scheduled, the focus will remain on whether this expensive experiment can deliver tangible results in improving the capital’s air quality.
