New Delhi (AP): In a bold and unprecedented move to combat the worsening air pollution crisis, Indian authorities on Tuesday conducted a cloud-seeding trial over the capital, New Delhi. The aim was to induce artificial rainfall and help clear the city’s toxic smog, which has continued to blanket the region despite several pollution-control measures.
A specially equipped aircraft sprayed a mixture of chemicals, including silver iodide and sodium chloride, into moisture-laden clouds above certain areas of Delhi. Officials hope that this will stimulate rainfall, helping to wash away airborne pollutants that have pushed the city’s air quality into the “very poor” category, according to national air monitoring data.
How Cloud Seeding Works
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used in several countries, including the United States, China, and the United Arab Emirates. It involves dispersing chemicals into clouds to enhance precipitation. When the conditions are right, these particles act as nuclei for water droplets, leading to rainfall.
While cloud seeding has shown mixed results globally, scientists continue to study its potential benefits, particularly in regions suffering from drought or extreme air pollution. Experts caution, however, that the technique’s success depends heavily on existing weather patterns and moisture levels in the atmosphere.
Trial Conducted with IIT Kanpur’s Collaboration
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that the cloud-seeding experiment was carried out in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, one of India’s premier research institutions. He stated that additional trials are being planned in the coming days, depending on favorable weather conditions.
“We are expecting a brief spell of rainfall in parts of the city in the next few hours,” said Sirsa. “This is a scientific effort to explore new solutions for the persistent smog problem that affects millions of people in Delhi and neighboring states.”
The experiment marks the first major government-backed attempt in India to use artificial rain as a pollution control measure.
Delhi’s Air Crisis: A Growing Health Concern
Home to more than 30 million people, the National Capital Region (NCR) of Delhi has become notorious for its annual battle with toxic air. Each winter, a combination of factors—such as crop stubble burning in nearby states, vehicle emissions, construction dust, and weather stagnation—creates a thick layer of smog that lingers for weeks.
According to the IQAir 2025 Global Air Quality Report, India is home to six of the world’s ten most polluted cities, with New Delhi ranked as the most polluted capital. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) often rises above 400 during the peak smog season, which is categorized as “severe.”
Such conditions can cause respiratory issues, eye irritation, and long-term cardiovascular problems, particularly among children and the elderly. Hospitals in Delhi frequently report spikes in pollution-related illnesses during this time of year.
Public Frustration and Search for Solutions
Residents have increasingly expressed frustration at the recurring smog crisis. Schools have been temporarily shut, construction work halted, and work-from-home advisories issued in recent weeks. Many people rely on air purifiers and masks to cope with the situation, yet the problem persists year after year.
The cloud-seeding trial represents a new experiment in the government’s ongoing search for innovative ways to address the crisis. While its immediate results remain to be seen, the initiative has sparked both hope and skepticism among experts.
What Lies Ahead
Meteorologists note that successful rainfall from cloud seeding could temporarily improve air quality, but it is not a long-term solution. Environmentalists continue to stress the need for stricter emission controls, renewable energy adoption, and large-scale urban greening to tackle the root causes of pollution.
Nevertheless, if the current trial produces even modest rainfall and a measurable drop in pollution levels, authorities are likely to expand the experiment to other affected regions.
Delhi’s skies remain hazy, but with science and determination, officials hope that the clouds will finally bring some relief — both in the form of rain and cleaner air.
