The Delhi government is preparing to trial artificial rain by 15 October. The government’s environment department is constantly monitoring atmospheric conditions and has sought update information from the Meteorological Department about the status of monsoon and withdrawal date, so that the civil aviation can be applied for a new time-limit acceptance for cloud-seeding (DGCA).

Delhi’s Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa told the media, “The department will test after the return of the monsoon so that it can get the best results. As soon as clear information is received from the Meteorological Department, the DGCA will again write a letter and seek necessary permission to conduct these artificial rain campaigns safely.

Artificial rain will be initiated under strict supervision- Sirsa

Minister Sirsa said that the last deadline will be decided on the basis of the trends of atmospheric data and scientific assessment of the situation of clouds. This active step of the government has been taken towards removing the concerns of falling ground water level and rising air pollution after the monsoon in the national capital. This initiative of artificial rainfall will be done under strict supervision and a detailed report of the Meteorological Department will be helpful in its implementation.

What was the minister Sirsa announced in July?

Earlier, in a press conference held in July, Sirsa announced that the test was postponed due to the arrival of monsoon. The test was postponed by the end of August as the expected results could be affected due to rain. The test to be held between July 4 and July 11 has been re -determined. In view of consultation with meteorological experts and the current weather, the project team proposed the revised period from 30 August to 10 September.

Sirsa further said, “The new period is likely to provide more suitable cloud structures for the cloud-seeding process.” This campaign will be done by the Aerospace Engineering Department of IIT Kanpur, with the experts of the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorological Institute (IITM), Pune and India Meteorological Department (IMD), 206-A aircraft (VT-IIT).