Delhi Cloud Seeding Trial: Why Moisture Levels Hold Key to Artificial Rain

"According to the IMD, there is still 10 to 15 per cent moisture. Yesterday, our trial was conducted at 10 to 15 per cent moisture, and now the next trial will be held when the moisture exceeds that level. As per IMD, the moisture is expected to increase further after 4:00 PM. Once the moisture report arrives, the next trial will begin immediately," Sirsa told ANI.

Criticising the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, Sirsa said, "A government that failed for ten years cannot praise us. They couldn't clean the water, couldn't clean the air, and couldn't even ensure proper conditions for cloud seeding. They'll try to obstruct everything we do."

The AAP hit back AAP Spokesperson Priyanka Kakkar alleged that the BJP government was only interested in headline management.

"It's shameful that yesterday the BJP lied, claiming they had artificially rained in Karol Bagh, Mayur Vihar, and Burari. When we checked, we found not a single drop fell... Light rain is bound to happen anywhere, but the BJP also wants to take credit for real rain. The BJP has also committed a major scam in cloud seeding... The BJP doesn't even know what measures to take because they work for optics and headline management," he said.

The cloud seeding scheduled to be held on Wednesday in the national capital has been put on hold, given the insufficient moisture in the clouds.

According to a statement issued by IIT Kanpur, the process is highly dependent on the right atmospheric conditions. "While rainfall could not be triggered yesterday because moisture levels were around 15 to 20 per cent, the trial delivered valuable insights."

IIT Kanpur said that the monitoring stations set up across Delhi captured real-time changes in particulate matter and moisture levels.

The data shows a measurable reduction of 6 to 10 per cent in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, indicating that even under limited moisture conditions, cloud seeding can contribute to improved air quality.

"These observations strengthen our planning for future operations and allow us to better identify conditions where this intervention can deliver maximum benefit. Such learnings form the foundation for more effective deployments ahead," the statement read.

The Delhi Government completed two consecutive cloud seeding operations as part of its robust air quality management strategy.

Cloud seeding is an advanced weather modification science, intended to trigger or enhance rainfall from suitable clouds by introducing selected particles--such as silver iodide or sodium chloride--using aircraft or other means.

- ANI