New Delhi : Delhi on Tuesday conducted cloud seeding in several parts of the city, raising hopes that artificial rain may soon wash away the toxic air blanketing the capital. The operation was undertaken by an aircraft from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said if successful, artificial rain through cloud seeding could help reduce air pollution levels significantly. Cloud seeding occurred in Khekra, Burari, Mayur Vihar, and several other areas. However, low moisture levels (below 20 per cent, compared to the 50 per cent needed) prevented rainfall. The cloud seeding project had received final approvals from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Delhi government’s environment department, marking the first full-scale attempt to induce artificial rain in the national capital.
The effort comes amid yet another alarming spike in air pollution following Diwali and a rise in stubble burning in neighbouring states amid the onset of winter. On Tuesday morning, Delhiites woke up to cloudy skies and thick haze, with the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hovering at 305, squarely in the ‘very poor’ category. Officials said the cloud seeding trials are part of a broader winter pollution-control strategy and will be conducted in phases. The Delhi Cabinet had approved five such trials in May this year at a total cost of Rs 3.21 crore.
However, repeated weather setbacks pushed the exercise through multiple deadlines — from May-end to June, August, September, and then mid-October — before finally reaching the launch stage this week. The hope is that even a brief drizzle will help wash away airborne pollutants, settle particulate matter obscuring the city’s skies and bring respite to Delhiites gasping for clean air.
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