Image Source livemint
New Delhi: In an unprecedented move to fight the capital’s choking air crisis, Indian authorities on Tuesday launched a cloud-seeding experiment to induce artificial rain and disperse the thick blanket of smog that has gripped New Delhi for weeks.
A research aircraft sprayed a combination of chemicals into moisture-laden clouds above parts of the city in an effort to trigger rainfall and cleanse the toxic air. The pilot test comes as Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the “very poor” range, despite emergency pollution-control measures.
The initiative — jointly conducted by the Delhi government and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur— is part of a series of experimental operations planned over the coming days. “We are hopeful that a brief spell of rain could help settle airborne pollutants and bring temporary relief to residents,” said Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa.
Cloud Seeding: A Modern Tool Against Pollution
Cloud seeding, a scientific weather-modification process, involves dispersing particles such as silver iodide or sodium chloride into clouds to encourage condensation and rainfall. While the method has been used in regions like the United States and the United Arab Emirates to tackle drought and improve rainfall, experts say its success depends heavily on atmospheric conditions.
Delhi’s Battle With Toxic Smog
With over 30 million residents, the Delhi-NCR region ranks among the world’s most polluted urban zones. According to Swiss-based IQAir, six of the ten most polluted cities globally are in India, with New Delhi consistently topping the list of polluted capitals.
Each winter, air quality in northern India deteriorates sharply as stubble burning from neighboring states combines with industrial and vehicular emissions. Cooler temperatures and low wind speed trap pollutants close to the ground, often pushing PM2.5 levels to nearly 20 times higher than the World Health Organization’s safe limit.
Officials say if the current trial proves effective, large-scale cloud-seeding operations could be deployed in future as part of India’s long-term air quality management strategy to mitigate recurring winter smog episodes.
[Newsroom staff written original, where key claims or facts are used, I’ve referenced the original sources (like The Times of India, Hindustan Times, etc.) transparently.]
