
The Delhi government is likely to conduct a trial for artificial rain in May as part of its efforts to tackle air pollution, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said on Thursday.
The trial will be carried out in an area in outer Delhi, with the final site selection to be made by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and IIT Kanpur, he said.
Manjinder Singh said the plan is part of a broader strategy to tackle pollution using multiple methods.
"This is a war against pollution and we are working on various measures, with artificial rain being one of them. Before implementing it on a large scale, we will try to conduct a trial in May when summer is at its peak," he added.
He further said, "We have asked for detailed reports to determine whether the chemicals used in cloud seeding could have any harmful effects on human health or the environment." Based on the findings, we will conduct a small-scale test and analyze water samples. If the trial is successful, we will expand the project across Delhi during periods of severe pollution, the environment minister said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
October's changing temperatures, dry air, dust and rising pollution can leave Delhi-NCR residents with a scratchy throat, cough or hoarseness.
Since most people spend a lot of time indoors, the air quality indoors becomes essential in relation to respiratory health. Considering different environments, air inside can contain dirt, allergens and several pollutants from multiple sources.
In a new analysis covering the first eight months of 2026, the European Union's Copernicus Climate Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) highlighted the close relationship between climate change and air pollution.
Starting November 1, petrol and diesel vehicles registered outside Delhi and not meeting BS-VI standards will be banned from entering the city, though CNG and electric vehicles are exempt.
Air pollution is often discussed as a cause of respiratory disease, but its effects extend to the heart and blood vessels.
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