Delhi Set to Witness Its First-Ever Artificial Rain Through Cloud Seeding

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that the city is ready to experience its first-ever artificial rain through cloud seeding, as all arrangements for the pollution-control initiative have been completed. The project is a joint effort between the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the Delhi government, aimed at exploring artificial rainfall to reduce particulate pollution in the national capital.

Key Highlights:

• Project Objective: The initiative seeks to mitigate Delhi’s severe air pollution by inducing artificial rainfall to wash away particulate matter.
• Authorised Period: Cloud-seeding operations are permitted between October 1 and November 30, following strict safety, security, and air traffic regulations.
• Legal Approval: The operations have been approved under Rule 26(2) of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, allowing IIT-Kanpur’s Department of Aerospace Engineering to use a Cessna 206-H aircraft (VT-IIT) for the activity.
• Collaborating Agencies: The project involves coordination with experts from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• How It Works: Cloud seeding disperses compounds such as silver iodide or sodium chloride into existing clouds to trigger condensation. Silver iodide is effective as its crystal structure resembles ice, causing water droplets to freeze, form ice crystals, and eventually fall as rain or snow.
• Limitations: Cloud seeding depends on existing clouds—it cannot create them.

(Sources: HT & Others)