Delhi: Delhi is set to witness its first artificial rain next week as the city struggles with severe air pollution, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced on Friday. Authorities have completed preparations for cloud seeding, a pioneering step aimed at controlling Delhi’s deteriorating air quality.
“Cloud seeding is a necessity for Delhi and the first experiment of its kind. We hope it will help us manage this serious environmental problem,” Gupta said. She added that the support of Delhi residents would be crucial to the success of the experiment and to tackling future environmental challenges.
The city and the National Capital Region (NCR) have been recording very poor air quality in recent days. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), as of 8 am on Friday, Delhi’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 292. Several areas recorded ‘very poor’ pollution levels:
- Bawana: 347
- Burari: 334
- Ashok Vihar: 320
- Jahangirpuri: 348
दिल्ली में पहली बार क्लाउड सीडिंग के माध्यम से कृत्रिम वर्षा कराने की तैयारियां पूरी कर ली गई हैं। आज विशेषज्ञों द्वारा बुराड़ी क्षेत्र में इसका सफल परीक्षण किया गया है।
मौसम विभाग ने 28, 29 और 30 अक्टूबर को बादलों की उपस्थिति की संभावना जताई है। यदि परिस्थितियां अनुकूल रहीं, तो…
— Rekha Gupta (@gupta_rekha) October 23, 2025
The AQI near Akshardham Temple and Anand Vihar reached 403, entering the ‘severe’ category. Other parts of the city, including ITO (316), AIIMS (295), and Dhaula Kuan (257), remained in the ‘poor’ to ‘very poor’ range.
CM Gupta, in a social media post, said Delhi could experience its first artificial rain on October 29, 2025, if weather conditions remain favourable. “The weather department has indicated cloud presence on October 28, 29, and 30. If conditions hold, Delhi will see its first artificial rain on October 29,” she wrote.
Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa also confirmed that authorities are ready to carry out cloud seeding on October 29. Officials successfully tested the cloud seeding setup in the Burari area, ensuring that the operation is technically ready.
CM Gupta highlighted that the initiative is both technically historic and scientifically significant. “This experiment will help us explore new ways to manage pollution and set the foundation for future environmental solutions,” she said. The upcoming cloud seeding exercise marks the first time artificial rain will be attempted in Delhi as a direct measure to reduce air pollution.
