New Delhi: Delhi govt is planning to conduct an artificial rain trial by Oct 15.The environment department has been monitoring the atmospheric conditions. It has asked the Met department for updates on monsoon status and withdrawal date, so that it can apply to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) for a new time window to start cloud-seeding operations.Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that the department will conduct the trial after monsoon to ensure best output. He, however, said the final time window is likely to be decided on the basis of atmospheric data trends and scientific assessment of cloud conditions.The initiative aims to address concerns related to dwindling groundwater levels and rising air pollution in the capital post monsoon. At a press conference in July, Sirsa had announced that the date for the trial had been postponed due to the arrival of monsoon. The trial was then deferred till Aug-end as rain may not provide ideal conditions and can prevent the desired results.The operation is to be conducted by IIT-Kanpur’s department of aerospace engineering, in coordination with experts from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, and India Meteorological Department, using a Cessna 206-H aircraft (VT-IIT).“All necessary authorisations, including aerial-work clearance from DGCA, have already been obtained. The operation will follow all safety and environmental guidelines,” Sirsa said earlier, adding that no photographer will be allowed during the process in compliance with standard operating procedures. PTI
