Cloud-seeding fails to induce rain, precipitates political row

A small, single-propeller aircraft operated by IIT Kanpur crisscrossed the overcast skies above northwest Delhi and parts of the National Capital Region on Tuesday, firing silver iodide flares in two cloud seeding trials that failed to produce rain — even as the capital's environment minister hailed the exercise as “successful”.

- Jasjeev Gandhiok

The aircraft fired 16 flares — eight in each trial — containing silver iodide and sodium chloride compounds over Burari and surrounding areas, Mayur Vihar, and Noida in attempts to induce rain in a much-debated plan to tamp down air pollution that tends to accumulate this time of the year.

“Delhi has taken an unprecedented, science-first step by adopting cloud seeding as a tool to control air pollution. Our focus is to assess how much rainfall can be triggered under Delhi's real-life humidity conditions. With every trial, science guides our actions—for the winter and all year round,” Delhi's environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.

The initiative has been another flashpoint in Delhi's politics.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Saurabh Bharadwaj held a press conference questioning the BJP-led government's decision to conduct trials on a day when the India Meteorological Department had already forecast rain. “Will Lord Indra come down to clarify whether it is artificial rain or natural rain?” he said.

After trial, Bharadwaj shared a video showing Delhi skies at 4.30pm: “There is no sign of rain. Any clouds that were visible were also blown away by this trial.” He said.

The previous AAP government first floated the plan in winter 2023 but failed to execute it, citing unfavourable meteorological conditions. Last winter, AAP again proposed the programme but claimed it did not receive the Centre's backing for required flight and environmental permissions.

Sirsa has previously attacked AAP for "only talking about such plans" without action.