New Delhi, Oct. 29 -- Two rounds of cloud-seeding trials were carried out over the city, bringing the total to three so far - but not even a trace of rainfall was recorded.

Experts on Tuesday said the Delhi government must tackle sector-specific sources of emissions to improve air quality and provide reprieve from the annual winter pollution, instead of relying on "quick-fix" solutions in an attempt to bring artificial rain.

They said the attempts at cloud seeding are a costly and largely ineffective experiment that distracts from tackling the real sources of pollution. While the idea of inducing artificial rain to wash away smog often resurfaces during peak pollution episodes, scientists and air quality specialists say such interventio...