After Cloud Seeding, How Soon Will Delhi Experience Rainfall?

In a first-of-its-kind experiment, Delhi carried out a cloud seIn a first-of-its-kind initiative to tackle the rising air pollution, Delhi carried out a cloud seeding operation on Tuesday.

The experiment, conducted under the supervision of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, was aimed at producing artificial rainfall to reduce pollution levels and provide relief from the toxic smog engulfing the city.

IIT Kanpur Leads India's First Official Cloud Seeding Effort

A Cessna 206H aircraft took off from IIT Kanpur's airstrip for the trial and flew over several parts of Delhi, including Burari, Mayur Vihar, and Karol Bagh. The plane released chemical flares containing compounds such as silver iodide and salt, which help tiny water droplets in clouds combine to form rain.

Officials confirmed that this is the first officially approved cloud seeding mission in India. The Delhi government, headed by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, gave approval for the project as part of its emergency plan to deal with the city's severe air pollution.

According to officials, the weather conditions on Tuesday were moderately suitable, with cloud humidity levels between 15 and 20 percent. The aircraft released eight flares during the half-hour flight, and each flare lasted about two to two-and-a-half minutes.

How Soon Will It Rain After Cloud Seeding?

Delhi's Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that experts from IIT Kanpur believe rainfall, if it occurs, could happen anytime between 15 minutes and 4 hours after the seeding process. The timing depends on several factors, including wind direction, temperature, and the amount of moisture in the clouds.

The minister also mentioned that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has recorded northward wind movement, which means any rainfall is most likely to occur in Outer Delhi.

"If it is successful, in days to come, a long-term plan can be drawn till February. Such sorties will continue in the days to come. 9-10 trials will be done every day as the weather permits," Sirsa said.

Experts Explain How Cloud Seeding Influences Rainfall

Weather experts clarified that the time taken for rainfall after cloud seeding mainly depends on how ready the clouds are and the overall atmospheric conditions.

• In ideal conditions, rain can begin within 15 to 30 minutes after seeding.
• In moderate weather, it might take between 30 minutes and 2 hours.
• In less favorable conditions, rainfall may take several hours, and sometimes no rain occurs if the clouds do not develop adequately.

The recent operation marks a significant step in India's efforts to explore weather modification as a means to address pollution and improve air quality in the national capital.