The toxic haze has returned to Delhi — thick, grey, and choking. Air quality levels have plunged into the “severe” category, schools have shut down, and residents are left gasping for clean air. Amid the despair, one term keeps surfacing: artificial rain. Authorities are hoping that cloud seeding — a form of weather modification — could bring much-needed relief to the city this October. But will it actually work?
The Plan for Artificial Rain
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, in collaboration with the Delhi government, has been preparing for artificial rain experiments for the last few years. The idea is simple in theory: aircraft release certain chemicals, such as silver iodide, sodium chloride, or potassium chloride, into moisture-laden clouds to trigger rainfall.
The Delhi government has announced October 29 as the tentative date for the project, provided that suitable clouds form over the region. Officials are in touch with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to monitor weather conditions and determine the right window for cloud seeding.
However, every time the plan nears implementation, delays and uncertainties surface. This year too, confusion reigns — one day reports confirm preparations are complete, and the next, officials cite “unfavourable conditions.”
Why Artificial Rain Is Being Considered
Delhi’s air quality typically worsens between October and December due to a mix of stubble burning, vehicle emissions, construction dust, and low wind speeds. The lack of natural rainfall during this period means pollutants linger in the air longer.
Artificial rain, in theory, could wash away fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and temporarily improve visibility and air quality. A successful spell could bring down pollution levels significantly, even if just for a few days.
Countries such as China, Thailand, and the UAE have experimented with cloud seeding for decades — sometimes to induce rainfall, sometimes to clear smog. In 2008, Beijing famously used artificial rain to clear pollution before the Olympics opening ceremony.
The Science Behind It
Cloud seeding works only when there are already rain-bearing clouds present in the atmosphere. Without sufficient moisture or the right temperature, the process fails. According to IIT Kanpur experts, Delhi’s chances of successful artificial rain depend on two key factors — humidity levels and the presence of cumulus-type clouds.
The chemicals dispersed from aircraft or rockets act as “nuclei,” encouraging water droplets to form and fall as rain. But this process is not guaranteed. Even under ideal conditions, success rates globally hover between 30% and 70%, depending on cloud type and atmospheric conditions.
The Challenges and Skepticism
Experts caution that cloud seeding is not a silver bullet. “Artificial rain can only provide temporary relief,” says environmental scientist Dr. Ramesh Bhushan. “Once pollution sources remain unchecked — vehicles, industry, stubble burning — the smog will return in days.”
Moreover, logistical challenges abound. Coordinating aircraft, chemicals, permissions from aviation authorities, and precise timing all make the process complex and costly. In 2018, a similar attempt in Delhi was called off at the last minute due to lack of suitable cloud formations.
There are also environmental concerns. While silver iodide is used in very small quantities, long-term effects of large-scale cloud seeding remain under study. Critics argue that such interventions can alter local weather patterns or rainfall distribution, though scientific evidence remains inconclusive.
Hope and Hype
Despite the skepticism, many Delhiites see artificial rain as a symbol of hope — a visible, immediate action amid years of failed pollution control policies. For residents battling eye irritation, coughing, and breathlessness, even a few hours of clean air would feel miraculous.
Environmental activists, however, urge caution against overreliance. “Cloud seeding should not become a distraction,” says Sunita Narain of the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE). “We need long-term solutions — cleaner fuel, reduced vehicular traffic, strict construction controls, and addressing stubble burning at its source. Artificial rain can only buy time, not solve the crisis.”
The Bigger Picture
Delhi’s pollution is not a one-off seasonal issue but a chronic urban emergency. With nearly 20 million residents, the city faces a perfect storm of emissions, geography, and governance gaps. While artificial rain might help reduce pollution spikes temporarily, experts say real improvement will only come through systemic interventions — transitioning to renewable energy, enforcing emission norms, expanding public transport, and regional cooperation with neighboring states.
As Delhi looks skyward for clouds to save the day, the question remains: is this an innovative environmental solution, or a desperate measure to hide deeper failures?