Delhi AQI Plunges to 352 After Cloud Seeding Effort Fails

Post by : Raina Nasser

Delhi’s air quality deteriorated sharply on Thursday, with dense smog blanketing much of the city after an attempted cloud seeding operation failed. Data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) showed the city’s overall Air Quality Index (AQI) at 352, an approximately 80-point rise compared with earlier in the week.

Outlying urban areas such as Noida, Ghaziabad and Gurgaon also recorded AQI readings within the 'very poor' band. Specific locations experienced 'severe' pollution levels: Vivek Vihar reported an AQI of 415, Anand Vihar 409 and Wazirpur 394. For context, AQI values from 0 to 50 are categorised as 'good', underscoring the scale of the deterioration.

The decline in air quality followed the Delhi government’s first cloud seeding exercise in over five decades, carried out with technical support from IIT Kanpur. Officials said the operation could not induce rain because atmospheric moisture was insufficient; IIT Kanpur noted that effective cloud seeding typically requires around 50–60% humidity, while the sampled clouds contained only 10–15% moisture.

In response to hazardous pollution readings, authorities activated GRAP II measures, including restrictions on construction activity. Officials also reiterated plans to bar non-BS-VI commercial vehicles from entering the city from November 1 as part of ongoing efforts to limit emissions.

With visibility reduced and pollutant concentrations high, health advisories have been issued for children, the elderly and people with respiratory illnesses. The unsuccessful seeding trial highlights the limits of short-term fixes and the need for sustained, structural policies to address Delhi’s chronic air pollution challenge.