Artificial Rain Likely In Delhi Next Week As Air Pollution Worsens After Diwali

The Delhi government on Thursday said it can carry out artificial rain as early as next week, if conditions remain favourable, following a trial cloud-seeding flight from IIT Kanpur to Delhi as the national

capital reels under worsening air quality post-Diwali.

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the weather department had indicated that there was a possibility for cloud presence on October 28, 29 and 30, and the first artificial rain can be induced on October 29 if conditions remained favourable.

“Preparations have been completed to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding for the first time in Delhi. Today, experts have successfully tested in the Burari area,” Gupta said on X.

दिल्ली में पहली बार क्लाउड सीडिंग के माध्यम से कृत्रिम वर्षा कराने की तैयारियां पूरी कर ली गई हैं। आज विशेषज्ञों द्वारा बुराड़ी क्षेत्र में इसका सफल परीक्षण किया गया है।

मौसम विभाग ने 28, 29 और 30 अक्टूबर को बादलों की उपस्थिति की संभावना जताई है। यदि परिस्थितियां अनुकूल रहीं, तो…

— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) October 23, 2025

“This initiative is not only historic from a technical perspective but is also set to establish a scientific method to combat pollution in Delhi. The government’s objective is to make the capital’s air clean and the environment balanced through this innovation,” she added.

ALSO READ: Cessna Aircraft Departs For Cloud Seeding ‘Mission’, Delhi’s First Artificial Rain Likely In Next 3 Days

What Were The Preparations?

Delhi environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa explained that a trial seeding flight was conducted from IIT Kanpur to Delhi via Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Aligarh and then back to IIT Kanpur, in which cloud seeding flares were fired between Khekra and Burari and over the Badli area using pyro techniques. This pyrotechnic process will release flares that react with the clouds, inducing precipitation

“This flight was the proving flight for checking the capabilities for cloud seeding, the readiness and endurance of the aircraft, the capability assessment of the cloud seeding fitments and flares, and coordination among all involved agencies,” he said, while thanking CM Rekha Gupta and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the project.

I would like to thank Hon’ble Chief Minister Smt @gupta_rekha Ji for her leadership and Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji for his blessings because of which all permissions for this novel effort were timely available.

Today a trial seeding flight was done from IIT… https://t.co/IeyhjlWH8l pic.twitter.com/9y4vOOtx21

— Manjinder Singh Sirsa (@mssirsa) October 23, 2025

Exclusive information available with News18 revealed that a Cessna aircraft had departed for the cloud seeding operations from Kanpur to Meerut. If the conditions develop in a suitable manner, artificial rain may be conducted anytime over the next three days. Officials said the operation is strictly confidential and details will be shared only after its completion.

Sirsa had earlier said there were no suitable clouds for the much-awaited artificial rain experiment aimed at clearing the toxic smog around Delhi-NCR in the winter.

Last month, the Delhi government signed a pact with IIT Kanpur for five cloud seeding trials, which are expected to be conducted in northwest Delhi.

Delhi’s Air Quality Turns ‘Severe’

This came as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) slipped to the “severe” category on Thursday morning in the aftermath of Diwali celebrations across the NCR region. The AQI at Anand Vihar was recorded at 429, the figure was higher than Wednesday’s reading of 360, as per Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

Post-Diwali smoke and dust have blanketed the city, leaving residents struggling with eye irritation and breathing difficulties. Stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and stagnant weather conditions have also contributed to the worsening air quality.

After reviewing the air quality in the region, Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas’ (CAQM) has continued enforcement of Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), which was imposed on October 19, in an effort to prevent further deterioration of air quality.