Delhi is set to embark on a pioneering effort to combat its notorious air pollution by conducting its first cloud seeding trial. The operation, slated for Tuesday, will proceed only if weather conditions are conducive. A high-level review is scheduled to confirm the go-ahead for the experiment. A dedicated aircraft is being brought in from Kanpur, and its deployment hinges on the meteorological outlook. This ambitious plan aims to generate artificial rain, a novel method to tackle the severe smog that blankets the city each winter. The Chief Minister has lauded cloud seeding as a crucial and innovative measure to address Delhi’s persistent environmental problems. The government is keen to assess the efficacy of this technique in managing the city’s critical pollution levels. Favorable weather predictions from the India Meteorological Department indicate a potential window for the trial between October 28 and 30. There’s a possibility of witnessing artificial rainfall on October 29, should the skies cooperate. A recent test flight conducted in Burari has already provided valuable insights. Officials confirmed that during this preliminary run, small amounts of silver iodide and sodium chloride were dispersed from an aircraft to test seeding capabilities. While the test didn’t produce rain due to low humidity, it validated the equipment and coordination among involved parties, as confirmed by IIT Kanpur. The necessary approvals are in place, and a Memorandum of Understanding with IIT Kanpur specifies multiple trials in northwest Delhi. All logistical and technical preparations for this significant cloud seeding operation are now complete.
