Delhi conducts trial for artificial rain; first cloud seeding likely on October 29

New Delhi, Oct 2025 : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday announced that experts have successfully conducted preliminary tests in the Burari area ahead of the city’s first-ever attempt to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding later this month.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Chief Minister said, “Preparations have been completed for the first time in Delhi to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding. Today, experts have successfully tested it in the Burari area. The weather department has indicated the possibility of cloud presence on October 28, 29, and 30.”

Gupta added that if weather conditions remain favourable, Delhi is likely to experience its first artificial rainfall on October 29.

“This initiative is not only historic from a technical perspective but is also a step toward establishing a scientific method to combat air pollution in the national capital,” she said. “The government’s objective is to make Delhi’s air cleaner and restore environmental balance through innovation. Best wishes to our cabinet colleague Shri @mssirsaji and all officials involved in making this effort successful.”

Air quality shows signs of improvement

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that Delhi’s intensified winter enforcement drive has started showing results, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) improving by nearly 50 points within a day.

“Delhi’s AQI has improved significantly — today’s level of 305 is nearly 50 points better than yesterday’s 353. The city is responding to swift, coordinated action on the ground,” Sirsa said after a high-level review meeting.

He directed departments to sustain the progress with a laser focus on identified pollution hotspots, ensuring inter-agency coordination through the Green War Room.

“Around 2,000 teams are deployed across the city, working day and night. Delhi’s strategy is not limited to winter — it’s a 24×7, year-round governance model that keeps data, accountability, and citizens at its core,” he said.

Future-ready measures

Sirsa also outlined the government’s long-term plans to strengthen pollution control measures.

“Our efforts go beyond the present — we’re preparing for the future. Work will soon begin to procure 70 more mechanised road sweepers, 70 additional anti-smog guns, water sprinklers, and 140 litter pickers covering 1,440 km of roads,” he said. “We’re also encouraging innovation through the Delhi Clean Air Challenge, and cloud seeding will soon be undertaken with IIT Kanpur and the India Meteorological Department (IMD).”

Sharing details of the Comprehensive Enforcement Deployment, Sirsa said that for dust and construction management, 200 day teams and 178 night teams (comprising 970 personnel) are monitoring construction sites larger than 500 sq m. Agencies including MCD, PWD, DDA, DSIIDC, and CPWD are using GPS-tracked sweepers and reporting daily to the Green War Room.

Highlighting success in tackling open burning, he added that 230 day and 213 night patrol teams, comprising over 1,200 personnel, are actively curbing garbage, leaf, and biomass burning across the city. These teams are jointly deployed by MCD, DDA, DSIIDC, and the Revenue Department, he said.