Artificial Rain Unlikely to Solve Delhi’s Pollution Crisis: IITM Experts

Delhi’s proposal to use cloud seeding for artificial rain to combat its severe air pollution crisis has drawn scepticism from experts at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune. They argue that the strategy overlooks both the root causes of pollution and the technical challenges of cloud seeding, particularly in the absence of conducive weather conditions.

Environment Minister Gopal Rai recently hinted at exploring artificial rain as a solution to settle airborne pollutants and improve air quality. However, experts have pointed out that the success of cloud seeding hinges on the presence of moisture-laden clouds, which are typically scarce during Delhi’s dry winters. “Cloud seeding is not a universal fix. Without sufficient cloud cover, the process is ineffective. Additionally, not all clouds are suitable for seeding, as specific atmospheric conditions are required to generate rain,” an official from IITM stated.

Data over the past five years highlights the rarity of clouds during Delhi’s peak pollution episodes, making the feasibility of large-scale artificial rain efforts questionable. Winter pollution in Delhi is compounded by temperature inversions, which trap pollutants close to the ground under stable atmospheric conditions. This creates an environment hostile to the development of clouds necessary for rain. Experts emphasised that while rain might provide temporary relief by washing away particulate matter, it doesn’t tackle the underlying sources of emissions, including vehicular pollution, industrial activity, and stubble burning. Even if isolated cloud seeding were successful, it would only result in minor and localised rainfall, insufficient to address the widespread pollution.

The scale of Delhi’s pollution crisis, dominated by PM2.5 and PM10 particles, requires systemic changes. Solutions need to focus on reducing emissions at their source rather than relying on short-term, weather-dependent interventions. While cloud seeding might seem like a promising idea, its practicality and efficacy remain highly limited in addressing the capital’s chronic air quality issues.