Delhi Cloud Seeding Trials Only Experimental, Says Official

Pune: The recent cloud seeding trials carried out in New Delhi were purely experimental in nature, a senior government official has clarified. Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, said the tests were conducted to study the feasibility and effectiveness of weather modification techniques before any operational use is considered.

Speaking on Sunday at the 11th WMO Scientific Conference on Weather Modification held at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune, Dr Ravichandran emphasised that such trials are a vital part of scientific evaluation. “These are experiments which can end in success or failure,” he stated, underlining the need for continued research and careful assessment.

He explained that cloud seeding, a technique aimed at inducing rainfall through the dispersion of chemicals into clouds, remains an evolving area of atmospheric science. The current trials in Delhi, he said, should be seen as steps toward understanding its practicality under Indian climatic conditions rather than as a policy implementation.

Officials from the Ministry of Earth Sciences have indicated that data from the Delhi trials will be studied to assess atmospheric responses and the impact on precipitation. Findings from these studies will guide future decisions on whether the technology can be used more widely to mitigate droughts or improve air quality.

The conference in Pune brought together meteorologists and climate researchers from various countries to discuss advances in weather modification and sustainable climate interventions. Dr Ravichandran reiterated that while such technologies hold promise, they must be guided by scientific evidence and regulatory oversight to ensure safety and environmental responsibility.

The Delhi cloud seeding experiment has attracted national attention amid concerns over prolonged dry spells and rising pollution, but officials have maintained that the initiative remains in its testing phase.