"Method to combat pollution," says Delhi CM on successful cloud seeding

CM Gupta congratulated Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa and other officials involved in the process, noting that the weather department has indicated the possibility of clouds on October 28, 29, and 30.

"Preparations have been completed for the first time in Delhi to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding. Today, experts have successfully tested it in the Burari area. The weather department has indicated the possibility of cloud presence on October 28, 29, and 30. If conditions remain favourable, Delhi will experience its first artificial rain on October 29," Rekha Gupta wrote on 'X'.

"Best wishes to our Cabinet colleague Manjinder Singh Sirsa and all officials involved in making this effort successful," she added.

The Delhi CM mentioned that the initiative is not only historic from a technical perspective but is also set to establish a scientific method to combat pollution in Delhi.

"This initiative is not only historic from a technical perspective but is also set to establish a scientific method to combat pollution in Delhi. The government's objective is to make the capital's air clean and the environment balanced through this innovation," Rekha Gupta wrote.

On October 22, in an interview with ANI, Sirsa said that the cloud seeding operations are ready to take off, with Cessna aircraft and all necessary equipment in place. The pilots are licensed, and authorities are now awaiting the green signal from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to commence operations as soon as clouds form.

Sirsa highlighted that the project, which aims to simulate artificial rainfall and remove pollutants, depends on suitable atmospheric conditions.

He said, "For cloud seeding, clouds are essential. We already have full permission from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and everything is under control. The planes have arrived, including the Cessna, and all the necessary equipment has been installed. The pilots have obtained their licenses. Now, we are just waiting for the green signal from the Meteorological Department to proceed with cloud seeding. We are confident that within the next week, as soon as the clouds form, the cloud seeding operations will be carried out.

"Previous governments only talked; we actually did the groundwork in seven months: approvals, agreements, MOUs, consultations with scientists and arrangements with pilots and aircraft," said Sirsa. (ANI)