News Brief
IIT Kanpur Puts Delhi Cloud-Seeding Trial On Hold Due To Low Moisture
Dark clouds over Delhi (Sunil Ghosh/Hindustan Times via Getty Images)
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur on Wednesday (29 October) suspended its cloud-seeding activity planned for today (29 October 2025) in Delhi after scientists detected insufficient moisture in the atmosphere, rendering the conditions unfit for artificial rainfall.
This was the second attempt within 24 hours under the capital’s experimental initiative to mitigate air pollution through induced rain.
The exercise, carried out in collaboration with the Delhi government, sought to explore whether artificial rain could serve as an emergency measure during severe pollution spells.
However, despite back-to-back sorties from Kanpur on Tuesday and Wednesday, the operation failed to yield precipitation due to low humidity levels.
According to experts, humidity levels were found to be below 20 per cent, while at least 50 per cent is required for successful seeding.
He noted that 15 pollution monitoring stations had been set up across the city, and preliminary data showed a marginal decline in PM 2.5 and PM 10 concentrations, a sign that even limited atmospheric moisture may have contributed to temporary air quality improvement.
Agrawal said the experience would help refine future trials under more favourable weather conditions. He explained that despite visible cloud cover over parts of the NCR, the clouds contained very little moisture, making precipitation unlikely.
The cloud-seeding project stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed on 25 September between IIT Kanpur and the Delhi government, with permission from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation to conduct experimental operations through October and November.
