Dailyhunt Logo
  • Light mode
    Follow system
    Dark mode
    • Play Story
    • App Story
Fact Check: Is Delhi's Weather Change Due to Cloud Seeding or Bill Gates 'New Project'? Here's What IMD Says

Fact Check: Is Delhi's Weather Change Due to Cloud Seeding or Bill Gates 'New Project'? Here's What IMD Says

Delhi’s Weather Change: The recent weather changes in Delhi are mostly the result of natural atmospheric events, notably the Western Disturbance.

Despite numerous viral assertions on social media, there is no scientific proof attributing these weather changes to cloud seeding or any of Bill Gates’ programs.

The India Meteorological Department has attributed the rainfall, sudden temperature drops and unusual March fog observed in 2026 to an active Western Disturbance originating from the Mediterranean region.

What Is Causing Delhi’s Weather Change?

The India Meteorological Department confirmed that an active Western Disturbance brought moisture and cooler winds from the Himalayas to the plains, causing temperatures to drop from around 29°C to nearly 19°C in late March. The system intensified in early April, resulting in cloudy skies and occasional thunder.

Meteorologists have stated that the unseasonal rain and temperature drops are entirely natural and common during seasonal transitions in North India. No artificial intervention is responsible for the current weather patterns.

Is Cloud Seeding Happening in Delhi?

While the Delhi government and IIT Kanpur have planned and attempted cloud seeding trials to combat air pollution, these are local initiatives and not the cause of recent widespread rain. Due to low moisture levels of only 15 to 20 percent-far below the necessary minimum of 50 to 60 percent-trials carried out in October 2025 were unable to produce any rainfall.

New trials, which need DGCA clearance, are scheduled for April through June of 2026. Instead than causing significant weather changes, the initiative intends to manufacture artificial rain to “wipe out” dangerous air pollutants during periods of high pollution.

Delhi’s Weather Change: What Is the Bill Gates ‘Project’ Rumor?

The confusion stems from a viral conspiracy theory linking Delhi’s weather to Solar Geoengineering or “Sun-Dimming” research. In the past, Bill Gates provided funding for the Harvard research project SCoPEx, which was intended to investigate Solar Geoengineering-the practice of reflecting sunlight to cool the Earth rather than produce rain.

The project was cancelled in 2024 and was never conducted in India. It was a small-scale atmospheric study, not a large-scale weather modification program. Experts have debunked videos claiming “artificial rain” or “chemtrails” from Gates’ projects as false.

What Is the Delhi Cloud Seeding Project?

The Delhi Cloud Seeding Project is a pilot initiative titled “Technology Demonstration and Evaluation of Cloud Seeding as an Alternative for Delhi NCR Pollution Mitigation.” Its main objective is to create artificial rain in order to “wipe off” dangerous air pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10 during times of peak pollution. It was introduced by the Delhi government in partnership with IIT Kanpur.

The total project outlay is approximately ₹3.21 crore. A modified Cessna 206-H aircraft uses pyrotechnic flares to disperse a mixture of silver iodide, iodised salt and rock salt into moisture-heavy clouds. Each 90-minute flight aims to cover approximately 100 square kilometres, primarily in northwest and outer Delhi regions like Burari.

What Is Bill Gates Actually Working On?

Bill Gates does not have a single “new project” related to climate control. His current high-priority projects for 2026 include AI for Global Health, a $50 million collaboration with OpenAI to provide AI capabilities to 1,000 primary healthcare clinics in Sub-Saharan Africa. He is also investing in next-generation nuclear energy through TerraPower and assisting smallholder farmers with climate adaption efforts.

Gates’ latest visits and projects in India have been focused on health and agriculture, rather than weather management. These include working together on AI technologies for medical diagnostics and sponsoring research into climate-resilient crops that can withstand natural droughts and heatwaves.

FAQs: Delhi’s Weather Change

Q: Is Bill Gates responsible for Delhi’s rain?

A: No, the widely circulated allegations that Gates is responsible for Delhi’s weather are false and stem from a misinterpretation of his prior endorsement of a speculative research project that was shelved in 2024.

Q: Did cloud seeding cause the recent rain?

A: No. The India Meteorological Department confirmed the rain is due to a natural Western Disturbance.

Q: What is the Western Disturbance?

A: During seasonal changes, a weather system from the Mediterranean region sends colder winds and moisture to North India.

Q: Is Delhi doing cloud seeding trials?

A: Yes, but trials are planned for April-June 2026 to combat air pollution, not create rain. October 2025 trials failed to trigger rainfall.

Q: What was the SCoPEx project?

A: Bill Gates provided funding for a Harvard study on solar geoengineering. It was never held in India and was canceled in 2024.

Q: What is Bill Gates doing in India?

A: He is focused on AI tools for medical diagnostics and climate-resilient crop research, not weather modification.

Disclaimer: This article is based on statements from the India Meteorological Department, and news agency reports.

Dailyhunt
Disclaimer: This content has not been generated, created or edited by Dailyhunt. Publisher: The Sunday Guardian