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The Indian government is reviewing the possibility of using cloud seeding, or artificial rain, to combat severe air pollution in Delhi during the winter months. This proposal, suggested by Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai, has prompted a series of expert consultations to assess its effectiveness in addressing the region's smog crisis.

In response to requests from the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) for cloud seeding as a potential emergency measure, the Union Ministry of Environment has sought expert opinions from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The experts have raised significant concerns about the feasibility and efficacy of such measures, given the region's specific weather patterns and atmospheric conditions.

Challenges and Limitations of Cloud Seeding in Delhi's Winter

Experts have pointed out several key challenges to implementing cloud seeding in Delhi. Winter clouds in the region typically form due to Western Disturbances, which are fast-moving weather systems that already bring natural rainfall. Additionally, these clouds are often too high in the atmosphere—above 5 to 6 kilometers—to be affected by aircraft used in cloud seeding. Even when low clouds are present, the dry air beneath them can cause any artificial precipitation to evaporate before it reaches the ground.

Further complicating matters are concerns about the potential environmental impact of cloud seeding chemicals and the uncertainty surrounding its success. Experts emphasized that the atmospheric conditions in Delhi’s cold and dry winter months make the timing and effectiveness of cloud seeding highly unpredictable.

In light of these challenges, the Ministry of Environment shared these expert opinions with the Delhi government in October 2024, urging them to submit a more detailed and specific proposal. A meeting convened by the CAQM in November 2024 explored these concerns further, while experts and stakeholders continued to discuss alternative solutions to the ongoing air pollution crisis.

Complex Causes of Delhi's Winter Air Pollution

The severe air pollution that blankets Delhi during the winter months results from a combination of factors, both natural and man-made. The winter season sees pollutants trapped in the atmosphere due to low temperatures, stagnant winds, and inversion conditions. The situation is further worsened by human activities such as vehicular emissions, industrial pollution, dust from construction sites, and the burning of biomass and municipal waste.

A major contributor to the winter pollution is crop stubble burning in neighboring states, which sends large amounts of smoke into the air. This, combined with the widespread use of firecrackers during festivals and other episodic pollution events, creates a toxic mix of pollutants that is difficult to clear.