Delhi To Watch First-Ever Artificial Rain Today?

July 4, 2025: Artificial Rain – Delhi’s ambitious plan to use artificial rain through cloud seeding has been delayed, with the city government rescheduling its first-ever trial for between August 30 and September 10, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed on Tuesday.

The project, which aims to combat air pollution and potentially supplement rainfall, was originally slated for early July. However, experts from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), IIT-Kanpur, and IITM Pune advised against it due to ongoing monsoon activity, which currently does not offer the ideal cloud conditions for successful seeding.

Why the Delay?

According to scientists, early July weather does not typically produce the right type of clouds required for cloud seeding. These clouds must have enough moisture and specific structural characteristics for the seeding particles—usually sodium chloride or silver iodide—to encourage precipitation.

Details of the Cloud Seeding Trial

• Budget: ₹3.21 crore
• Aircraft: A specially equipped Cessna 206-H (VT-IIT) aircraft
• Regulatory Approval: Cleared by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
• Areas of Operation:
  • In Delhi: Rohini, Bawana, Alipur, Burari
  • In Uttar Pradesh: Loni and Baghpat
• Number of Flights: 5 missions planned
• Safety: Aircraft will follow strict DGCA safety protocols and be operated by a trained, experienced crew.

What Is Cloud Seeding?

Cloud seeding involves dispersing substances like sodium chloride into moisture-bearing clouds to accelerate the formation of raindrops. The process can either increase natural rainfall or trigger rain artificially when the right cloud conditions exist.

A First for Delhi, But Not India

Though Delhi is trying cloud seeding for the first time, the method has already been piloted in Mumbai, Bengaluru, and internationally in China and the UAE—both for combating drought and reducing pollution.

What’s Next?

If the trial between August 30 and September 10 proves successful, Delhi could scale up the project as a novel tool to combat air pollution and potentially reduce reliance on emergency measures like construction bans and vehicle restrictions during winter smog season.