What Is Cloud Seeding? First Ever Artificial Rain In Delhi Between 4 July To 15 July

The project is estimated to cost ₹3.21 crore and will involve five aircraft sorties over northwest and outer Delhi, each lasting 90 minutes and covering 100 square kilometres. It is being carried out with the assistance of experts from IIT Kanpur and with support from the Delhi government and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). The Delhi government is hopeful that this project will revitalise the city. Let's understand what cloud seeding is, how it works, and why it's being used in Delhi.

What Is Cloud Seeding?

All about cloud seeding (Image: Reuters and Freepik)

Cloud seeding is a kind of weather modification method which helps in creating rain artificially. In simple words, it refers to the process of producing rain by using specific chemicals to alter the structure of clouds. Using an aeroplane or rocket, scientists spray materials into clouds, such as dry ice, potassium iodide, or silver iodide. These particles function within the cloud as a "seed." Water vapour gets heavy and descends as rain when it adheres to these particles. Nevertheless, cloud seeding is only effective if clouds are sufficiently moist.

History: Cloud seeding was invented in 1946 by Vincent J. Schaefer and Irving Langmuir. They discovered the cloud seeding principle while studying aircraft icing. Later, Bernard Vonnegut joined Schaefer and Langmuir, and he used silver iodide to improve the technique in a better way.

Why Is Delhi Using Artificial Rain?

Delhi often faces extreme issues like: very high pollution levels, water shortage, and delayed or weak monsoons. To tackle these problems, the Delhi government and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur have planned to carry out artificial rain to settle the dust and pollution particles in the air and help improve the overall air quality. This step is part of a pilot project, and if successful, it can be used in other Indian cities that face similar climate and pollution issues.

How Will Cloud Seeding Be Done in Delhi?

Delhi's cloud seeding project (Image: ANI)

Delhi's cloud seeding project, which is led by IIT Kanpur, will involve spraying a unique mixture into clouds to create artificial rain and lessen air pollution. Five aircraft sorties will be conducted over northwest and outer Delhi, each lasting 90 minutes and covering 100 square kilometres. In order to remove pollutants and enhance air quality, silver iodide will probably be used to induce rainfall.

 

ALSO READ: Delhi Government Plans Artificial Rain To Combat Air Pollution; Cloud Seeding Likely From July 4–11 | Details

Here are Important steps to be followed for cloud seeding and artificial rain;

1. The cloud seeding project will be done with the help of IIT Kanpur scientists.
2. A specially equipped aircraft will spray silver iodide into moisture-bearing clouds.
3. The plan is scheduled from 4 July to 15 July 2025, but the exact date will depend on weather and cloud conditions.
4. The project has been approved by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and supported by the Indian Meteorological Department.

Has Cloud Seeding Been Done Before in India?

All about cloud seeding (Image: Canva)

Yes, cloud seeding has been used in other Indian states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,
Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. These states used it mostly to fight drought conditions and help farmers during the monsoon season. Check when and why these states first used cloud seeding and what was its impact?

Tamil Nadu

In 1983–1984, Tamil Nadu was the first Indian state to try cloud seeding. During years of severe drought, such as 1983, 1984–87, and 1993–94, the state carried out cloud seeding operations. This method sought to reduce water scarcity and increase rainfall.

Karnataka

To combat the extreme drought conditions, Karnataka started cloud seeding in 2003. To carry out cloud seeding operations, the state partnered with Weather Modification Inc., a US-based company. Cloud seeding has shown promise in Karnataka in increasing rainfall and reducing the effects of drought.

Andhra Pradesh

From 2003 to 2009, Andhra Pradesh carried out cloud seeding operations to increase precipitation in regions that were shaded by the sun. The program's objective was to lessen the effects of the drought, and it covered 12 districts. Although there is a lack of precise impact data, cloud seeding experiments have demonstrated promise in boosting rainfall and assisting local agriculture.

Maharashtra

Maharashtra implemented cloud seeding for the first time to fight drought in 2008. In 2019, the state government set aside ₹30 crore for cloud seeding with the goal of bringing rainfall to regions affected by drought. According to reports, a comparable exercise in 2015 produced 1,300 mm of precipitation. The state government once more set aside ₹30 crore for cloud seeding in 2025 in an effort to increase the amount of water in catchment areas.

 

ALSO READ: Delhi Air Pollution: Why Cloud Seeding Won't Help Improve Air Quality In Winters? Here's What Centre Said

Benefits of Cloud Seeding

Benefits of cloud seeding (Image: Reuters and Freepik)

Cloud seeding offers numerous benefits, including enhanced precipitation, drought mitigation, improved air quality, increased water supply, and support for agriculture, ultimately contributing to sustainable development and environmental balance effectively.

Key Benefits Include;

1. Helps reduce air pollution by bringing down dust and harmful particles
2. Can support water harvesting by increasing rainfall in dry areas
3. Useful during drought or delayed monsoons
4. Can improve crop conditions in farming areas

Limitations and Challenges Of Cloud Seeding

Cloud seeding faces several limitations and challenges, including unpredictable weather patterns, variable success rates, potential environmental impacts, high costs, and the need for further research to optimise its effectiveness

1. It does not work without suitable clouds
2. The process is costly, which is in crores. (For Delhi, an estimated cost is 1 lakh per square km)
3. Rainfall is not guaranteed
4. There are some environmental concerns about using chemicals in the atmosphere

Cloud seeding is an advanced scientific method that can offer hope in the face of challenging weather and pollution is cloud seeding. It's a brave and much-needed move for Delhi to try artificial rain from July 4 to July 15, 2025. If it succeeds, it may serve as a template for other Indian cities dealing with comparable issues. However, for this initiative to be successful, careful planning, strategic timing and professional management are essential.