In a groundbreaking move to combat its chronic air pollution, India has begun cloud-seeding trials over Delhi, aiming to trigger artificial rain and wash away hazardous smog. The pilot project, conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur and the Delhi government, involves spraying silver iodide particles into moisture-laden clouds to induce rainfall. Delhi’s air quality recently plunged to “severe” levels, exceeding 450 AQI, with toxic particulate matter (PM2.5) concentrations nearly 90 times higher than WHO safety limits. The experiment comes amid growing public health concerns, as pollution is estimated to shorten residents’ lives by up to 11 years, according to the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago.
Scientists emphasize that cloud seeding is a temporary emergency measure, not a permanent fix. The success of the operation depends heavily on favorable weather conditions and sufficient cloud density. Still, officials hope it can offer short-term relief ahead of winter, when stubble burning, construction dust, and vehicle emissions combine to create hazardous air. If successful, the Delhi trial could serve as a model for other polluted megacities across South Asia struggling with worsening air quality. More