Delhi conducts two cloud seeding trials to tackle severe air pollution
· India · LiveMint, The Hindu
Delhi faced severe air pollution with an average AQI of 369 and 18 of 59 monitoring stations recording severe levels, prompting the Delhi government to carry out two cloud seeding trials near Indira Gandhi International Airport in the past 15 days, according to PTI. The trials, conducted at approximately 30,000 metres altitude, follow a failed 2025 project with IIT Kanpur that cost over ₹1 crore and did not produce rainfall. A government report attributed the 2025 failure to inadequate atmospheric moisture levels estimated at just 10-15%. Authorities are likely to conduct further trials after Diwali and Chhath, though an official announcement is not expected before the festival.
Why it matters
Delhi residents, particularly vulnerable populations, face health risks from severe pollution, and the government is exploring costly artificial rainfall measures to improve air quality before winter worsens.
Read the original report — LiveMint
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