Delhi Cloud Seeding Trials Take Flight From Kanpur to Combat Pollution
Delhi Cloud Seeding Trials Take Flight From Kanpur to Combat Pollution
Delhi conducts cloud-seeding trials using an IIT Kanpur–origin aircraft to induce artificial rain over northwest Delhi as part of a plan to curb winter air pollution; more tests planned.
An aircraft linked to IIT Kanpur conducted cloud-seeding trials over Delhi, part of an effort to nudge clouds into producing rain to combat worsening winter pollution. The operation involved a Cessna that originated at IIT Kanpur and flew toward Delhi, releasing seeding agents during a roughly half-hour flight.
Flight path details show the route began at IIT Kanpur, then proceeded to Meerut Airfield, on to Khekra, and finally over Burari, North Karol Bagh and Mayur Vihar, before passing Sadakpur and Bhojpur and returning to Meerut Airfield. Officials noted eight fire flares were released during the trial, which was designed to test the government’s plan to tackle air quality through cloud seeding in northwest Delhi.
The Delhi government had signed a memorandum of understanding with IIT Kanpur on September 25 to carry out five cloud-seeding trials in the capital, with permission granted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to conduct tests between October 1 and November 30. In a later update, officials confirmed the trial covered Khekra, Burari, Mayur Vihar, North Karol Bagh, Sadakpur and Bhojpur, and that artificial rain was anticipated within hours, though some earlier flights had rainfall not materializing due to insufficient atmospheric moisture.
Looking ahead, Delhi officials indicated more trials would follow, with nine additional cloud-seeding attempts planned for the city as part of the ongoing effort to address air pollution through weather modification.
Cover image source: Delhi cloud seeding trial done, artificial rain expected in next 4 hours 🔗
