Cloud Seeding Experiment in Delhi Fails to Bring Rain, Offers Temporary Relief

In a bid to address Delhi's worsening air pollution, authorities in the capital, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, conducted a cloud seeding experiment on October 28, 2025. The goal was to induce artificial rain that could help wash away toxins and smog in the air to some extent.

However, despite high expectations, the cloud-seeding attempt yielded little to no rain due to inadequate atmospheric conditions, particularly a lack of moisture in the clouds. The aircraft dispersed silver iodide and salt-based flares into the clouds, but the relative humidity over Delhi was a mere 15-20%, well below the 50-60% threshold required for successful seeding.

While the skies remained dry, air quality data showed temporary pollutant drops. Real-time readings indicated a 15-18% drop in PM2.5 levels and a 17-19% reduction in PM10 concentrations in areas like ITI Jahangirpuri, Mayur Vihar, and Karol Bagh during the hours following the cloud-seeding attempt. This suggests that even small interventions can help settle suspended particulates, albeit for a short duration.

Authorities had originally scheduled 9-10 such trials between October 28 and 30, but after the initial attempt failed, the remaining operations were put on hold until atmospheric conditions became favorable again. Despite the setback, the data gathered provided crucial insights that could help make the next rain-making effort successful, one that truly helps Delhi breathe easier.