Delhi, the national capital of India, continues to grapple with one of the world’s most severe air pollution crises. As the city regularly records hazardous Air Quality Index (AQI) levels exceeding 400-500 during winter months, innovative solutions like cloud seeding have emerged as potential interventions to combat this environmental emergency. Under the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, whose political journey began with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) as Delhi University Students’ Union President in 1996, the Delhi government has taken decisive steps toward implementing artificial rain technology as a pollution mitigation strategy.
Delhi’s air quality has reached alarming proportions, with the city recording an AQI of 495 in November 2024, marking it as one of the most polluted capitals globally. The pollution crisis intensifies annually during October-February due to factors including stubble burning in neighbouring states, vehicular emissions, industrial activities, construction dust and meteorological conditions that trap pollutants in the atmospheric boundary layer. The health implications are severe, with respiratory illnesses increasing dramatically during high pollution episodes, affecting millions of residents including vulnerable populations such as children and elderly citizens. The pollution problem in Delhi is multifaceted and requires comprehensive solutions. Traditional approaches including odd-even vehicle schemes, construction bans and industrial shutdowns have provided only temporary relief. This context has prompted the exploration of weather modification techniques, particularly cloud seeding, as an emergency intervention during severe pollution episodes.
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that involves the introduction of substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide or common salt into clouds to enhance precipitation. The process works by providing condensation nuclei around which water droplets can form and grow, eventually leading to rainfall. Aircraft or ground-based generators disperse these seeding agents into suitable cloud formations, typically cumulus or stratocumulus clouds with sufficient moisture content. The scientific principle behind cloud seeding relies on the fact that many clouds contain supercooled water droplets that require nuclei to freeze and form ice crystals. These ice crystals then grow and eventually fall as precipitation. For Delhi’s specific application, the primary objective is to wash out suspended particulate matter and gaseous pollutants from the atmosphere through induced rainfall.
Under CM Rekha Gupta’s administration, the Delhi government has demonstrated proactive leadership in addressing the air pollution crisis through innovative technological solutions. Initially during May 2025, the government approved five cloud seeding trials with an allocated budget of `3.21 crore, with each cloud seeding operation estimated to cost `55 lakh. This initiative represents a significant shift from conventional pollution control measures toward advanced atmospheric intervention techniques. The approval of these trials got delayed because the air quality was improved and the government’s postponed the commitment of exploring every possible avenue for pollution mitigation.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that preparations have been completed for Delhi’s first-ever artificial rain through cloud seeding. The India Meteorological Department has predicted cloudy conditions on October 28, 29 and 30, with the first artificial rain likely on October 29, 2025, if weather conditions remain favourable.
CM Gupta called the project historic from a technological perspective, highlighting its role as a scientific solution to tackle air pollution and restore environmental balance. She emphasized that this represents a “historic step” and a “necessity” for Delhi in its fight against air pollution. According to the Delhi government, if clouds persist over the city on October 29 or 30, artificial rain will be induced across multiple areas. The process is expected to last around 40-50 minutes, with rainfall generated over several locations to help reduce pollution levels. The cloud-seeding project involves five experimental cloud-seeding sorties planned for this phase, each covering roughly 100 square kilometres over northwest and outer Delhi zones. The first trial is covering an area of approximately 100 square kilometres, primarily on the outskirts of Delhi.
The technical feasibility of cloud seeding in Delhi faces several meteorological and logistical challenges. The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has expressed concerns about the limited feasibility of cloud seeding as an emergency measure, citing insufficient moisture content and the requirement for pre-existing suitable cloud formations.
Delhi’s winter months, when pollution is most severe, are characterized by clear skies and low humidity, making cloud seeding technically challenging. Successful cloud seeding requires specific atmospheric conditions including adequate cloud moisture content, appropriate cloud types, favourable wind patterns and sufficient atmospheric instability. Delhi’s winter meteorology often lacks these prerequisites, as the region experiences high-pressure systems with stable atmospheric conditions that inhibit cloud formation and precipitation. However, technological advances in cloud seeding methodologies, including hygroscopic seeding using salt particles and ground-based generators, offer potential solutions for Delhi’s specific conditions. These techniques can work with lower moisture content and different cloud types compared to traditional silver iodide seeding methods.
The environmental implications of cloud seeding in Delhi encompass both potential benefits and concerns. On the positive side, successful artificial rain could provide immediate relief from hazardous air quality levels by washing out suspended particulate matter and gaseous pollutants. This could reduce respiratory health impacts and provide temporary improvement in visibility and overall air quality. The washout effect of precipitation on air pollutants is well-documented scientifically. Rain droplets act as scavengers, collecting and removing particulate matter through processes of impaction, interception and diffusion. For Delhi’s fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and ultrafine particles, which pose the greatest health risks, precipitation-induced removal could provide measurable improvements in air quality indices. However, environmental concerns include the potential ecological impacts of seeding agents, particularly silver iodide, which could accumulate in soil and water systems. The downstream effects of artificially induced precipitation on regional water cycles and agricultural systems require careful consideration. Additionally, the temporary nature of air quality improvement through cloud seeding means it cannot substitute for long-term structural solutions to pollution sources.
The connection between CM Rekha Gupta’s ABVP background and current environmental initiatives reflects the organisation’s evolution in addressing contemporary challenges. ABVP, as India’s largest student organisation, has increasingly focused on environmental awareness and sustainable development issues. The organisation’s involvement in promoting innovative solutions like cloud seeding demonstrates its commitment to supporting evidence-based policy interventions. Recent interactions between CM Gupta and ABVP representatives at Youth Parliament events have highlighted the importance of engaging young voices in environmental policy-making. Students and youth organisations bring fresh perspectives on technological solutions and can play crucial roles in public awareness campaigns about air pollution and mitigation measures. The emphasis on youth engagement aligns with broader environmental justice concerns, as young people will bear the long-term consequences of current environmental decisions. ABVP’s support for innovative approaches like cloud seeding reflects a pragmatic approach to environmental challenges that combines traditional advocacy with technological innovation.
The economic implications of Delhi’s cloud seeding program extend beyond the immediate `3.21 crore investment. Air pollution imposes significant economic costs through healthcare expenditures, reduced productivity and impacts on tourism and business activities.
The estimated annual economic cost of air pollution in Delhi runs into thousands of crores, making investments in mitigation technologies economically justifiable. Successful cloud seeding could provide economic benefits through reduced healthcare costs, improved productivity during high pollution episodes and enhanced quality of life for residents. The tourism sector, which suffers during severe pollution events, could benefit from improved air quality during peak tourist seasons. Social implications include potential improvements in public health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations including children, elderly residents and individuals with respiratory conditions. However, equity concerns arise regarding the spatial distribution of benefits from cloud seeding operations and ensuring that relief reaches the most affected communities.
The implementation of cloud seeding in Delhi faces several significant challenges. Technical limitations include the requirement for suitable meteorological conditions, which are often absent during Delhi’s peak pollution periods. The effectiveness of cloud seeding varies considerably based on atmospheric conditions, making it an unreliable standalone solution for air pollution control. Regulatory challenges include obtaining necessary approvals from aviation authorities for aircraft operations and coordination with neighbouring states whose weather patterns could be affected. The cross-boundary nature of both air pollution and weather systems requires regional cooperation and coordination mechanisms. Public acceptance and understanding of cloud seeding technology present additional challenges. Misconceptions about weather modification and potential concerns about artificial intervention in natural processes require comprehensive public education and stakeholder engagement efforts.
The future of cloud seeding in Delhi depends on the outcomes of the approved trials and the development of more suitable technologies for the region’s specific conditions. Recommendations for maximizing the program’s effectiveness include investing in real-time meteorological monitoring systems, developing hybrid approaches that combine cloud seeding with other pollution control measures, and establishing regional cooperation frameworks with neighbouring states. Long-term success requires integration of cloud seeding within a comprehensive air pollution management strategy that addresses emission sources, urban planning, and sustainable transportation systems. The technology should be viewed as an emergency intervention tool rather than a permanent solution to Delhi’s air quality challenges. Research and development investments in advanced seeding technologies, including hygroscopic seeding and enhanced ground-based systems, could improve the feasibility and effectiveness of weather modification in Delhi’s specific climate conditions. Collaboration with international research institutions and technology providers could accelerate the development of suitable solutions.
Cloud seeding represents an innovative approach to Delhi’s air pollution crisis under CM Rekha Gupta’s leadership, reflecting her administration’s willingness to explore technological solutions to environmental challenges. While the technical feasibility faces significant constraints due to meteorological conditions, the approved trials provide valuable opportunities to assess the technology’s potential in Delhi’s specific context. The initiative demonstrates the evolution of political leadership from student activism, as exemplified by CM Gupta’s ABVP background, to evidence-based governance approaches. The engagement of youth organisations in environmental policy discussions reflects a comprehensive approach to addressing pollution challenges. Success in cloud seeding will require continued investment in meteorological infrastructure, regional cooperation and public engagement while maintaining focus on addressing the fundamental sources of air pollution. The technology’s role as an emergency intervention tool, combined with comprehensive pollution control strategies, offers hope for improving Delhi’s air quality and protecting public health in the world’s most polluted capital.