Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Wednesday announced that a designated area in the national capital will undergo artificial rain through cloud seeding once the Meteorological Department gives approval, possibly a day after Diwali.
Speaking at a press conference, Sirsa stated that the Delhi government has all the necessary preparations in place for the cloud seeding operation.
“When the Meteorological Department gives us the green signal in the next 2-3 days, we will conduct a sample cloud seeding after blasting or spraying it. We are waiting for clouds to appear. The day after Diwali, or the following day, whenever the weather department grants permission, we will carry out the process. Once permission is received, we can take a plane and start operations within three hours. All required preparations are already complete,” Sirsa said.
He added that two pilots have been trained and familiarised with the area during a four-day trial.
“Both pilots conducted a trial over the designated area to understand the terrain and the aircraft. This training has been ongoing for the past four days and has been successful,” he added.
This announcement follows months after Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta stated that the city would soon experience its first artificial rain using cloud seeding techniques. An MoU has been signed with IIT Kanpur for this pilot project.
Delhi has long struggled with air pollution, and authorities have considered cloud seeding—a weather modification technique—as a potential way to mitigate it. In May, the Delhi cabinet approved this historic initiative to conduct artificial rain in partnership with IIT Kanpur.
Pollution remains a major challenge in Delhi, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) frequently reaching very poor levels. While several measures have been tried previously, none have offered a long-term solution to the city’s persistent pollution problem.
-ANI