Delhi is set to carry out five cloud-seeding trials, with each one scheduled on a separate day, according to an official statement made on Monday. These aerial operations, aimed at inducing rainfall, will involve aircraft flying for approximately one to one-and-a-half hours to inject chemicals into the clouds.
The trials are expected to take place in close succession, potentially within a week, depending on the prevailing weather.
> “If suitable weather is observed, we may conduct all five trials within a week or with gaps of a day or two. The schedule will depend on cloud availability,” the official explained.
Cloud seeding—commonly referred to as artificial rain—involves releasing specific substances into cloud systems to trigger precipitation, assuming other atmospheric conditions are conducive.
An Environment Department representative, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told PTI that the trial locations are still under consideration. The task of identifying suitable sites lies with IIT Kanpur, which is overseeing the entire operation, from planning through execution. Site selection will rely on both scientific data and logistical feasibility.
Due to airspace regulations and safety concerns, particularly around Lutyens’ Delhi and the Indira Gandhi International Airport, the experiments will not take place within the city. Instead, the outskirts of Delhi have been identified as more viable locations, where meteorological conditions will also be more favorable.
The first trial is expected to be conducted by late May or in June, with the detailed schedule to be announced shortly.
