Delhi weighs artificial rain again if post-Diwali pollution worsens

Delhi is considering another round of artificial rain after Diwali and Chhath if air pollution gets worse, according to government sources cited by national outlets — though no dates have been confirmed. Sources say two cloud-seeding trials were already held near the airport over the past fortnight.

Officials of the Delhi Environment Department declined to confirm the trials or any post-festival schedule when The Indian Express asked. Sources told outlets the latest runs were flown at a much higher altitude than last year's attempts, and that the government is unlikely to announce anything firm until after Diwali.

Last October's cloud-seeding sorties, run with IIT Kanpur, cost the Delhi government about Rs 38 lakh in payments reported under RTI, and brought no meaningful rain on the ground. Cloud moisture was far below what experts say is needed. IIT Kanpur director Manindra Agrawal has described cloud seeding as an emergency "SOS" step, not a long-term fix for Delhi's air.

Cloud seeding works only when suitable moisture-bearing clouds are already present: aircraft or ground generators disperse particles such as silver iodide or salts so droplets can grow and fall as rain. Rain can briefly wash out some particulate pollution; it does not cut the vehicles, construction dust, industry or stubble smoke that rebuild the smog.

The talk of fresh trials comes as Delhi's air has again pushed into the very poor and near-severe band ahead of Diwali, with GRAP Stage III curbs invoked on Friday. As The Indian Idiot reported earlier on Friday, the city's overall AQI had already climbed near the severe threshold.