Delhi Conducts Successful Cloud Seeding Trial, Artificial Rain Likely on October 29

Delhi’s ambitious artificial rain project marked a major success with the first-ever cloud seeding trial over Burari on Thursday. Conducted jointly by the Delhi Government and IIT Kanpur, the experiment aims to reduce the city’s rising air pollution levels by inducing artificial rain.

A Cessna aircraft operated by IIT Kanpur carried out a four-hour proving flight from Kanpur to Delhi and back. During the flight, cloud-seeding flares were fired between Khekra and Burari to test the system’s readiness, coordination among agencies, and equipment efficiency.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said this was a “technological milestone” in Delhi’s fight against pollution. She added that if weather conditions remain favourable, Delhi could experience its first artificial rainfall on October 29.
The cloud seeding project, approved by 23 departments including the DGCA, will continue till November 30. It uses advanced techniques developed by IIT Kanpur in partnership with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.

Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa thanked all participating agencies and highlighted that the trial tested cloud seeding capabilities, flight endurance, and coordination.
This initiative reflects Delhi’s growing commitment to finding scientific and sustainable solutions to its pollution crisis.