Delhi authorities, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, conducted cloud seeding trials Cloud-Seeding on October 28, 2025, to induce artificial rainfall aimed at reducing the city’s severe air pollution. The process involved a specially fitted Cessna aircraft releasing silver iodide and sodium chloride flares over areas such as Burari, Karol Bagh, and Mayur Vihar. Although no significant rainfall resulted due to insufficient moisture in the clouds, minor reductions in particulate matter concentrations (PM2.5 and PM10) were observed post-trial.
This was the first such trial in Delhi after over five decades, part of a broader strategy to tackle the “very poor” air quality during the winter smog season. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed plans for multiple additional trials depending on meteorological conditions, noting that cloud seeding is considered more of an emergency measure rather than a permanent solution. Experts emphasize that long-term pollution control requires addressing emissions at their source, through stricter regulations on vehicles, industries, and crop residue burning.
Cloud seeding trials over Delhi have been put on hold due to insufficient moisture in the clouds. The team from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kanpur, which is overseeing cloud seeding to tackle Delhi’s air pollution, conducted two rounds of cloud seeding trials yesterday, but no rain followed. The cloud-seeding activity planned for today has been put on hold due to insufficient moisture in the clouds. The process is highly dependent on the right atmospheric conditions.
While rainfall could not be triggered yesterday because moisture levels were around 15 to 20 per cent, the trial delivered valuable insights. Monitoring stations set up across Delhi captured real-time changes in particulate matter and moisture levels. The data shows a measurable reduction of 6 to 10 per cent in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, indicating that even under limited moisture conditions, cloud seeding can contribute to improved air quality.
These observations strengthen our planning for future operations and allow us to better identify conditions where this intervention can deliver maximum benefit. Such learnings form the foundation for more effective deployments ahead. IIT Kanpur remains committed to advancing this research with scientific discipline and a clear focus on improving environmental outcomes for the National Capital Region.
Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said seven more trials of cloud seeding are planned. Two trials were carried out yesterday, but due to low moisture, rain did not take place.
The cloud seeding trials in Delhi on October 29, 2025, failed primarily due to insufficient moisture in the clouds, which is essential for inducing rainfall through cloud seeding techniques. Experts from IIT Kanpur and meteorologists indicated that the meteorological conditions did not support the formation of rain, despite the seeding efforts involving silver iodide and sodium chloride flares. The lack of adequate moisture in the clouds was the main factor that caused the trial to be unsuccessful in triggering artificial rain today.
