Delhi plans artificial rain experiment by mid-October

The Delhi government is preparing to conduct an artificial-rain trial by October 15 and will approach the meteorological department for updates on monsoon withdrawal before applying for a fresh time window.

The environment department has been monitoring atmospheric conditions and has sought inputs from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on the status of monsoon withdrawal, so that it can write to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for approvals to carry out cloud-seeding operations.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told PTI the trial will be conducted after the monsoon to ensure the best outcome. “Once there is some clarity from the weather department, we will again write to the DGCA to seek the necessary approvals for conducting these operations safely,” he said.


Sirsa added that the final time window is expected to be decided on the basis of atmospheric data and scientific assessment of cloud conditions.

The initiative aims to address concerns over depleting groundwater levels and rising air pollution in the capital after the monsoon. The operations will be supervised closely, with detailed IMD reports guiding the process.

Sirsa had announced in July that the trial was postponed due to the onset of monsoon. Initially scheduled between July 4 and 11, the exercise was first deferred to August-end and later rescheduled to a proposed window of August 30 to September 10, when monsoon activity was expected to recede. This window was further extended to improve the chances of success.

“The new period is likely to offer more suitable cloud formations for the seeding process,” Sirsa said.

The artificial-rain trial will be conducted by the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IIT-Kanpur, in coordination with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, and the IMD, using a Cessna 206-H aircraft (VT-IIT).

“All permissions have already been obtained and necessary authorisations, including the aerial-work clearance from the DGCA, have been secured. The operation will follow all safety and environmental guidelines,” Sirsa earlier told PTI, adding that no photographers will be allowed during the process to ensure compliance with standard operating procedures.

With inputs from PTI