Aircraft takes off from Kanpur for Delhi’s cloud-seeding trials – watch video

The aircraft designated for Delhi’s cloud-seeding trial took off from Kanpur on Tuesday (October 28) and is expected to conduct the exercise over Burari in northwest Delhi, officials said.

#Watch The aircraft has taken off from Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh for cloud seeding in Delhi.

(Video Source: IIT Kanpur Media Cell) pic.twitter.com/hxhMQLvMPk

– ANI (@ANI) 28 October 2025

The operation will be proceeded with only when favorable weather conditions – including adequate cloud cover and humidity – persist. After completion of the trials, the aircraft will be parked at Meerut Airport.

If conditions are not suitable, the aircraft will abandon the test and fly directly to Meerut, where it will remain on standby until the weather improves. The initiative aimed at creating artificial rainfall is part of the Delhi government’s efforts to tackle increasing air pollution during winter.

The measure is being taken as the national capital has again recorded ‘very poor’ air quality. Delhi’s AQI was 305 at 5:30 am on Tuesday (28 October). According to the early warning system for Delhi, the ambient temperature at that time was 20.4 degrees Celsius.

The government had conducted a test flight over Burari last week. During the test, small amounts of silver iodide and sodium chloride compounds, used to trigger artificial rain, were released from the aircraft.

However, due to atmospheric moisture being less than 20%, whereas 50% is usually required for cloud seeding, rainfall could not occur.