Delhi completes cloud seeding trial, minister says long-term artificial rain plan under review

The Delhi government successfully conducted its second cloud seeding trial on Tuesday as part of efforts to reduce air pollution in the national capital. The special flight from Kanpur carried out operations over Khekra, Burari, Mayur Vihar, North Karol Bagh, Sadakpur, and Bhojpur before landing in Meerut. Officials confirmed that the area will now be monitored for signs of artificial rain.

Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that if the trials prove successful, the government will prepare a long-term plan for artificial rainfall, possibly extending till February 2026. “We will conduct artificial rain daily or every alternate day if the weather demands it,” the minister stated.

Experts from IIT Kanpur, who are assisting with the project, said the rainfall could occur anytime between 15 minutes to four hours after the trial. This marks Delhi’s second cloud seeding attempt, following an earlier one last week that failed due to insufficient atmospheric moisture levels.

According to officials, a total of five such trials will be conducted across northwest Delhi as part of the initiative to tackle severe smog and improve air quality. The ongoing trials are expected to help authorities evaluate the feasibility of using cloud seeding as a pollution control measure.