CLOUD-SEEDING PUT ON HOLD OVER LACK OF MOISTURE IN CLOUDS

Low moisture halts Delhi's latest cloud seeding test; initial trials show mild pollution reduction.

- TDG NETWORK NEW DELHI

The cloud seeding scheduled to be held on Wednesday in the national capital has been put on hold, given the insufficient moisture in the clouds.

According to a statement issued by IIT Kanpur, the process is highly dependent on the right atmospheric conditions. "While rainfall could not be triggered yesterday because moisture levels were around 15 to 20 per cent, the trial delivered valuable insights."

IIT Kanpur said that the monitoring stations set up across Delhi captured realtime changes in particulate matter and moisture levels.

The data shows a measurable reduction of 6 to 10 per cent in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, indicating that even under limited moisture conditions, cloud seeding can contribute to improved air quality.

"These observations strengthen our planning for future operations and allow us to better identify conditions where this intervention can deliver maximum benefit. Such learnings form the foundation for more effective deployments ahead," the statement read.