Delhi conducted two secret cloud-seeding trials near Indira Gandhi International Airport within 15 days to fight pollution. These experiments reached 30,000 metres, much higher than last year. While previous attempts in October 2025 failed to produce rain, the government hopes these new efforts will help clear the city's winter air.

Secret experiments

Delhi is trying to make it rain again! The government has reportedly conducted two cloud-seeding trials near Indira Gandhi International Airport within just 15 days as pollution concerns mount. Government sources say the experiments are part of renewed efforts to explore artificial rain as an emergency pollution-control measure. But with no official confirmation of the latest operations, what exactly happened in Delhi's skies?

Altitude mystery

Delhi's latest cloud-seeding experiments reportedly reached an extraordinary height! Government sources claim the trials were conducted at approximately 30,000 metres, compared with around 10,000 metres during last year's operations. The reported threefold jump raises questions about the technique and aircraft used. However, these altitude figures remain unverified, and the government has not released technical details of the latest trials.

Rain failure

Delhi's earlier artificial-rain experiment had one major problem: no rain! In October 2025, the government conducted two cloud-seeding trials with IIT Kanpur, releasing eight chemical flares containing silver iodide and sodium chloride during each operation. Neither trial produced rainfall. However, the Delhi government later claimed that particulate pollution levels had declined at targeted locations. Can the new experiments deliver a different result?

Festival suspense

Artificial rain after Diwali and Chhath? Delhi could conduct more cloud-seeding experiments once the festivities are over, according to government sources. Officials are reportedly unlikely to announce or confirm the proposed operations until after Diwali. With the capital facing its familiar winter pollution challenge, the next round of trials could attract considerable attention. But will weather conditions allow the clouds to produce rain this time?