After the successful flight trial of cloud seeding, Delhites are most likely to witness the first artificial rain over the national capital on coming Wednesday (Oct 29). Delhi CM Rekha Gupta on X confirmed that the preparation to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding has been completed. She wrote on X, “The weather department has indicated the possibility of cloud presence on October 28, 29, and 30. If conditions remain favorable, Delhi will experience its first artificial rain on October 29.”

Manjinder Singh Sirsa, minister in the Delhi government, reiterated on X, “A trial seeding flight was done from IIT Kanpur to the Delhi area via Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Bhojpur, Aligarh and back to IIT Kanpur, in which cloud seeding flares were fired between Khekra and Burari and over Badli area using pyro techniques.” 

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He further mentioned that this flight was to check the capabilities for cloud seeding, the readiness and endurance of the aircraft. Additionally, this was also the capability assessment of the cloud seeding fitments and flares, and coordination among all involved agencies. 

SOP breach allegations by AAP

AAP leader and Burari MLA Sanjeev Jha has alleged that the cloud seeding trail in Delhi’s Burari area, “was done without informing local residents or public representatives, in violation of standard operating procedures.” He further accused the Delhi government for breaching standard operating procedures (SOPs) in such trails. He questioned on why the exercise was conducted “quietly” despite making public spectacles of other events such as the arrival of Rafale jets and Cheetahs in India.

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He further said that “Why was cloud seeding done in secrecy? The chemical used can be harmful to crops and people. In every country where cloud seeding happens, local residents are alerted in advance.” He also demanded that the government provide a detailed analytical report. He also questioned the reason for choosing Northeast Delhi and further asked if the lives of migrants are not important.

What is cloud seeding?

Cloud seeding is a technique used in weather modification to produce precipitation or rain via increasing cloud efficiency. The technique is performed by injecting silver iodide, potassium iodide, dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), liquid propane or salts into clouds in order to mimic ice nuclei. This is done with the help of an aircraft, which injects the salts into the cloud.

Injecting clouds with silver iodide particles enhances their ability to form ice crystals. This process ensures that even clouds with existing ice nuclei are saturated with enough particles to trigger precipitation. Depending on the temperature, these crystals fall as snowflakes or melt into rain.