Here is an explainer on the technique that artificially modifies a cloud so that it produces more rainfall as Delhi saw its first cloud-seeding trial on Tuesday, in an attempt to address air pollution.

Particles like silver iodide or chemical solutions are added to a cloud — typically making use of an aircraft — which act as “seeds” and around which water vapour condenses, explains a 2023 report by researchers from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.

In cold clouds, where the temperature is under 0°C, particles of silver iodide are added to a cloud, which accumulate water and ice. Being heavy, the fused particles fall, melting along the way as temperatures turn warm closer to the ground, says the report aimed at addressing commonly-thought questions of the public,

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