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In what can be proved a breakthrough in Delhi's fight against pollution, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Thursday that they successfully completed the first-ever cloud-seeding trial flight, paving the way for artificial rain operations scheduled for October 28-30.
The flight, conducted jointly by the Delhi Government's Environment Department and IIT Kanpur, was carried out to test aircraft readiness, seeding flares, and coordination among all participating agencies before full-scale deployment. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, who has been at the forefront leading the initiative, said, "I would like to thank Hon'ble Chief Minister Rekha Gupta for her leadership and Hon'ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his blessings, because of which all permissions for this novel effort were timely available. Today's flight was a success in every technical parameter. We have now completed all required trials, including flare tests, fitment checks, and coordination protocols." Sirsa informed that the proving flight originated from IIT Kanpur airstrip and covered the route Kanpur, Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Bhojpur, Aligarh and Kanpur. Cloud seeding flares were successfully fired between Khekra and Burari, while the aircraft's performance, equipment endurance, and safety protocols were thoroughly evaluated. The entire operation lasted around four hours, serving as a crucial preparatory step to ensure that Delhi's artificial rain mission is implemented with precision and scientific accuracy. Minister Sirsa added, "Delhi is ready to witness its first artificial rainfall experiment. All systems -- from aircraft to meteorological and environmental monitoring -- are in place. Now, the only thing we await is the arrival of suitable clouds, expected around October 29-30, when the actual seeding will be conducted." According to the pilot's report and data from the Windy professional system, the skies over Delhi remained largely clear today, with only two small patches of clouds identified for testing near Burari. Flares were successfully deployed in these regions, confirming the aircraft's and seeding equipment's operational capability. The flight was conducted using the pyro method, in which specially designed flares containing silver iodide and sodium chloride compounds are ignited and dispersed into the atmosphere through aircraft-mounted systems to stimulate condensation and cloud formation when sufficient moisture is present. This successful proving flight marks a turning point in Delhi's scientific approach to tackling air pollution. With all preparatory stages completed, the capital is now technically ready for full-scale cloud seeding and artificial rain trials between October 28 and 30, a first for the city. "This initiative reflects Delhi's resolve to embrace innovation and science-based solutions under the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Rekha Gupta," Sirsa said, reaffirming that the Environment Department will continue monitoring and coordinating closely with IIT Kanpur and aviation authorities for the upcoming operations. (ANI)
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