Delhi Eyes Artificial Rain This Month to Combat Toxic Smog — But Will It Really Work?

Delhi is suffocating under a heavy layer of smog after Diwali and the government is again considering artificial rain as a potential cure. But is the use of cloud seeding really that effective in tackling the air pollution crisis that has worsened in the capital?

The last few weeks have seen plans for artificial rain rain change and get delayed over and over again. After a period of uncertainty, the most recent news hints that artificial rain may take place in Delhi around 29th October,2025 if the weather is good.

The action has been taken as the air in the National capital region (NCR) goes down into the "severe" category with the pollution levels rising due to burning of straw, traffic emissions, and calm winds. The authorities are pinning their hopes on the cloud seeding technique for rain to help in the process of washing away the pollutants from the air and thus, bringing a short period of relief for the residents.

On the other hand, experts are still in a state of disagreement. Some people opine that the rain can improve the air quality temporarily, but others warn that if it is not a permanent solution, then it will be of no use at all. Moreover, the meteorologists point out that cloud seeding to be successful requires that the conditions like moisture level in the air and clouds be up to mark all the time, which is not always during the dry winter months of Delhi.

The people are still suffering from very poor air quality and hope for a "miracle shower" lingers on. It is still not clear whether or not the sky of Delhi would turn to and open up the cloud at the end of October, however, the discussion about the technology versus the sustainable measures for air quality has never been so relevant.