Artificial rain likely in Delhi within hours as cloud seeding concludes successfully

New Delhi: Delhi is set to witness its first-ever artificial rainfall, with the cloud seeding process completed and rain expected within the next few hours. The designated aircraft used for the operation has successfully carried out the seeding procedure, and officials say a second round could take place later this evening if weather conditions remain favourable.

Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa earlier stated that the operation marks a major step in the capital’s ongoing fight against air pollution.

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that involves dispersing particles such as silver iodide crystals or salt-based compounds into moisture-laden clouds. These particles help smaller cloud droplets merge into larger ones, potentially triggering rainfall.

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The initiative comes as Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) continue to grapple with poor air quality following Diwali. As of 1 pm on Tuesday, the Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 304, placing it in the ‘very poor’ category, according to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).

Several key monitoring stations reported similar readings — Anand Vihar (311), RK Puram (316), Siri Fort (347), Bawana (334), Burari Crossing (319), Dwarka Sector 8 (311), Mundka (318), Narela (302) and Punjabi Bagh (313). Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) continues to remain in effect across the city.

Last week, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had described cloud seeding as both a “necessity and a pioneering step” to address Delhi’s worsening environmental crisis.