Introduction: When Delhi Looked to the Skies for Relief
Every winter, Delhi is covered in a thick, toxic smog that pollutes the air. In 2025, an experiment was attempted to use artificial rain in Delhi—a bold scientific effort to clear the air through cloud seeding.
The government, in partnership with IIT Kanpur, hoped this artificial rain project in Delhi would quickly bring relief to millions struggling to breathe clean air. However, after weeks of planning, securing permissions, and flying aircraft, the skies stubbornly remained dry.
The artificial rain in Delhi did not materialize, raising serious questions: what went wrong, and who should be held responsible for this expensive failure?
What Is Cloud Seeding and How Does It Work?
Cloud seeding — the technology responsible for artificial rain in Delhi — is a form of weather modification that releases substances such as silver iodide or salt particles into clouds to trigger rainfall. However, it only works if the atmosphere already contains sufficient moisture and if clouds form vertically. In simple terms, you can’t produce rain from completely dry clouds.
Globally, artificial rain projects have demonstrated limited success — studies show only a 5–20% increase in rainfall under ideal weather conditions. Timing and humidity are essential; without them, even the most advanced seeding efforts produce little to no rain.
Artificial Rain in Delhi Plan: Timeline and Budget
- In May 2025, the Delhi Cabinet approved ₹3.21 crore for five cloud-seeding tests to reduce Delhi air pollution.
- September 25, 2025: The Delhi Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IIT-Kanpur, India’s leading atmospheric research institute.
- Late October 2025: After DGCA approval, aircraft equipped with cloud-seeding flares flew over Burari, Mayur Vihar, Khekra, and North Karol Bagh to attempt artificial rain in Delhi.
- Result: No measurable rainfall occurred; only a minor 6–10% decrease in PM2.5 levels was reported in isolated areas.
According to media reports, approximately ₹1.9 crore was spent on the first three sorties alone.
Why the Cloud Seeding in Delhi Failed?
IIT-Kanpur’s analysis revealed that clouds over Delhi contained only 15–20% moisture, well below the level needed for rain. In essence, the atmosphere was too dry for artificial rain to occur in Delhi. Several key factors contributed to the failure.
- Unfavorable weather timing: Post-monsoon skies had already lost most of their moisture.
- Hasty execution: Months of bureaucratic delays forced scientists to proceed despite unfavorable conditions.
- Incomplete pre-testing: IMD satellite data was utilized instead of real-time humidity profiling.
- Political urgency: The project was presented as a fast pre-Diwali fix rather than a pilot test.
Who Is Responsible: Science or Politics?
Responsibility for Delhi’s failed artificial rain project lies with both the scientific and political sides. The Delhi government, under intense public and media pressure, hurriedly launched the cloud-seeding operation even as weather conditions worsened.
Approvals from the DGCA and other agencies took months, and by the time all permissions were granted, the skies were already too dry. Despite warnings, the government pressed ahead, promoting artificial rain in Delhi as a near-guarantee rather than a scientific experiment.
Meanwhile, IIT-Kanpur and its partner agencies also share responsibility. They mainly relied on satellite data instead of on-site moisture measurements that could have indicated the clouds were unsuitable.
Experts argue that scientists should have delayed the operation until conditions improved. The IMD and DGCA also played indirect roles by postponing coordination. Ultimately, it was a case of political urgency overriding scientific caution, turning a promising project into a costly failure.
Could This Have Been Avoided?
Yes. A pre-seeding atmospheric survey — using weather balloons or aircraft sensors — could have detected low moisture levels, allowing for postponement.
Had the artificial rain trials in Delhi been conducted in August, when humidity peaks, the chances of success would have been much higher. Unfortunately, bureaucratic delays and political showmanship caused Delhi to miss the optimal weather window and spend crores chasing dry clouds.
Lessons for the Future
- Prioritize science over politics: Decisions should align with atmospheric readiness, not media timing.
- Improved coordination: IMD, IIT-Kanpur, DGCA, and the Delhi Government must collaborate.
- Transparency: The public should understand that artificial rain in Delhi is an experimental measure, not a guaranteed fix.
- Address root causes: Reducing vehicle emissions, stubble burning, and industrial output is Delhi’s true path to cleaner air.
Conclusion: A Lesson in Science and Governance
The artificial rain in Delhi failed not because cloud seeding is unscientific, but because scientific advice was ignored due to political urgency. Artificial rain relies on nature’s cooperation — moisture, timing, and patience. Unless governments recognize these factors, India’s fight against pollution should focus less on artificial rain projects and more on reducing emissions at their source.
The lesson from Delhi’s 2025 attempt is clear: technology can assist nature, but it cannot replace it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What chemicals were used in Delhi’s cloud seeding experiment?
IIT Kanpur used silver iodide and sodium chloride (common salt) for seeding. These chemicals act as condensation nuclei, encouraging droplet formation and rain under suitable conditions.
Q2. Was cloud seeding ever tried in India before 2025?
Yes. States like Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh have been using cloud seeding for drought relief since the 1980s, although with mixed results.
Q3. How successful is cloud seeding globally?
Countries like China, the UAE, and the United States have long practiced weather modification. However, artificial rain usually results in only 5–20% more rainfall under ideal conditions.
Q4. Is cloud seeding safe for health and the environment?
Yes. Silver iodide used in cloud seeding is considered non-toxic in the quantities applied, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).
Q5. Could artificial rain in Delhi help reduce pollution in the future?
Potentially, yes — but only temporarily. Artificial rain in Delhi can wash particulate matter out of the air for a few days, but it doesn’t eliminate sources of emissions like stubble burning or vehicle exhaust.
Q6. Will Delhi attempt cloud seeding again?
Officials haven’t ruled it out. IIT-Kanpur recommends trying again from July to September, when humidity is higher. The Delhi government is reviewing the 2025 results before making a decision.
Q7. Who funded the Delhi cloud seeding project?
The Delhi government funded the project, allocating ₹3.21 crores for five trials. About ₹1.9 crores were spent on the first three sorties conducted in October 2025.