National Desk: Delhi’s air these days is filled with poison. With every breath, pollution is entering people’s lungs. The hope was that cloud seeding — artificial rain — would help wash away this haze, but now questions are being raised about the timing and scientific basis of the experiment.
Meteorologists had already clearly warned that neither clouds nor sufficient humidity were present in Delhi’s skies — meaning rainfall was nearly impossible. The Indian Express+2DD News+2 Yet despite this, the expensive experiment was carried out.
According to climate specialist Manjari Sharma (Climate Trends), the entire effort was a “scientifically wrong-time experiment.” She says that Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had already told IIT Kanpur that moisture in the atmosphere was extremely low, and that successful cloud seeding requires at least 60–70 % humidity.
Temporary relief, huge cost
Environmental experts say that even if the experiment had succeeded, its effect would last only about two to two and a half days. The pollution would return — meaning cloud‐seeding would have to be repeated, at a cost of tens of crores each time. It is estimated that continuing the process for the full winter would cost between ₹25 to 30 crore.
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