Delhi is making a bold move to tackle the severe air pollution that often plagues the city after Diwali. The government has announced its readiness to deploy cloud seeding technology to induce artificial rain, aiming to clear the smog-filled skies. Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that four trial flights have already been successfully conducted over northwest Delhi, the designated area for this pilot project.
The project is currently on standby, awaiting the crucial go-ahead from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the presence of suitable cloud conditions. “Our aircraft is ready at Meerut. The pilots have familiarised themselves with the flight path. We’re only waiting for IMD’s green signal and the right cloud conditions,” Sirsa stated. If all aligns, the artificial rain experiment could potentially take place the day after Diwali or on subsequent days, depending on the weather.
The Plan to Combat Post-Diwali Pollution:
- Four trial flights for artificial rain have already been completed successfully over the target area in northwest Delhi.
- The specialized aircraft is positioned in Meerut, with pilots well-versed in the flight path.
- The operation hinges on receiving the IMD’s approval and favorable cloud conditions for effective cloud seeding.
- The initial trial is planned for shortly after Diwali, contingent upon weather suitability.
Understanding Cloud Seeding:
- Cloud seeding is a process where substances like silver iodide are dispersed into clouds to encourage rainfall.
- This initiative is a collaborative effort with IIT Kanpur, which has outfitted a Cessna-206H aircraft for this purpose.
- Ideal conditions for seeding involve Nimbostratus clouds (500m to 6,000m altitude) with at least 50% moisture content.
- Currently, Delhi’s skies are not meeting the moisture or cloud density requirements, which has caused delays.
- “We are closely monitoring atmospheric conditions, waiting for the right window,” mentioned an IIT official involved in the project.
Potential Impact on Air Quality:
Experts suggest that rainfall can significantly improve air quality, potentially reducing AQI levels by 50–80 points, depending on the intensity and spread of the rain. While a light shower might have a limited effect, sustained and heavy rainfall could lead to a substantial “washout effect.”
“Wind speed, area of influence, and rain intensity will determine the impact,” explained Dipankar Saha, a former head of the CPCB’s air lab. The project, approved with a budget of ₹3.21 crore, has already secured permissions from various government bodies, including the Union environment, defence, and home ministries, DGCA, BCAS, AAI, and the UP government. The collaboration with IIT Kanpur was formalized with an MoU signed on September 25, and flight clearance was granted by the DGCA the day before.
The trials faced several postponements, initially scheduled for May-June due to the monsoon, then missed in August-September as the monsoon extended, and further delayed in early October by unexpected rainfall from a western disturbance. While the government is optimistic, some experts urge caution, drawing parallels to similar experiments in Dubai and noting the challenges of effectively seeding an entire city like Delhi to achieve a significant reduction in air pollution.