IIT Kanpur director Manindra Agrawal has shared his insights on the recent cloud seeding trial conducted over Delhi, which aimed to induce rain but did not yield the desired results. Speaking to reporters, Professor Agrawal noted that while the trial didn’t achieve its primary objective, it provided valuable data and learning experiences for future cloud seeding efforts.
The trial involved monitoring air pollution and moisture levels across 15 stations in Delhi. The data collected indicated a notable reduction of 6–10% in PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations. “This shows that even with a very small or low level of moisture in the cloud, when we do the seeding, it does result in some impact, not the impact that one would ideally like to see, but still some impact,” Agrawal explained, emphasizing the significance of this information for planning subsequent seeding operations.
Agrawal highlighted that the cloud moisture levels during the trial were quite low, around 15%. He stated, “Due to the low moisture content, the chances of inducing rain were very small, so we did not achieve success in that regard.” Despite the unsuccessful attempt to generate rain, the process involved deploying two aircraft from IIT Kanpur and Meerut airfields. These aircraft covered various sectors across Delhi, releasing specialized flares designed to enhance precipitation potential.
Addressing the expenditure and the concept of experimentation, the IIT Kanpur director remarked, “The term ‘experiment’ means it can be successful or unsuccessful. If we fear failure and don’t undertake an experiment, then we will not make progress.” He also put the cost of cloud seeding into perspective, noting that the estimated cost for seeding approximately 300 square kilometers is around ₹60 lakh, or ₹20,000 per square kilometer. For an entire winter season, the cost could reach ₹25-30 crore, which he contrasted with the substantial amounts already spent on general pollution control in Delhi, suggesting it is not prohibitively expensive.
The next scheduled cloud seeding activity, planned for October 29, 2025, has been postponed due to insufficient moisture levels in the clouds, as the success of cloud seeding is highly dependent on favorable atmospheric conditions.
Earlier, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa had described the initiative as a significant, science-led step by the national capital to control air pollution through cloud seeding.