In a historic and pioneering move, Delhi is set to witness its first ever artificial rain through cloud seeding, scheduled between July 4 and July 11, 2025. The revolutionary step aims to curb the capital’s worsening air pollution and bring a breath of fresh air literally and figuratively to its overburdened residents.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the Delhi Environment Department under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, and was officially announced by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
Why Artificial Rain?
Delhi has long struggled with hazardous air quality, particularly during the summer and post-monsoon periods. From vehicular emissions to construction dust and industrial pollutants, the city’s residents have been facing rising health concerns, especially related to respiratory illnesses.
Artificial rain via cloud seeding – a weather modification technique that disperses substances into the air to encourage rainfall is now being deployed as an emergency intervention. It’s a bold step aimed not only at settling airborne pollutants but also at testing long term climate and air quality solutions for the National Capital Region (NCR).
What Is Cloud Seeding?
Cloud seeding involves spraying chemicals like silver iodide or sodium chloride into cloud systems using aircraft or ground based generators. These particles act as cloud condensation nuclei, promoting the formation of raindrops which then fall to the ground potentially washing out pollutants suspended in the atmosphere.
Govt Speaks: A New Era for Delhi
This marks a new chapter in Delhi’s fight against air pollution. If successful, it could become a model for other Indian cities,” said Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, highlighting the scientific backing and planning behind the initiative.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta emphasized that public health and environmental sustainability are top priorities for her administration. She stated that the results of this trial will be closely monitored and evaluated for future replication across the NCR and beyond.
When and Where?
Dates: July 4–11, 2025
Target Areas: High-pollution hotspots across Delhi NCR, identified using satellite and ground-based air quality data
Partners: The project involves collaboration with top Indian meteorological agencies and international experts in cloud seeding technologies.
What’s Next?
If successful, the artificial rain project could pave the way for emergency weather interventions across other parts of India grappling with pollution and water scarcity. It may also open up new discussions on climate engineering and sustainable urban planning in India’s rapidly growing cities.
Stay tuned for live updates and impact assessments on The News Drill.
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