With the arrival of Diwali and winters, Delhi's pollution levels are expected to peak in November. Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, has expressed concern and urged the central government to take immediate measures, including cloud seeding, to address the city's serious pollution problem.

Rai urged the central government to hold an urgent meeting with key associates to fasten the approval process for cloud seeding. Cloud seeding is a technique used to induce rain through artificial means, which can help reduce pollution to some extent.

In a letter to the Union  environment minister Bhupendra Yadav Rai wrote, "We have already faced about a month’s delay in our cloud-seeding efforts in Delhi, and with air quality expected to worsen to 'hazardous' levels by early November, I urge you to promptly arrange meetings with all relevant stakeholders."

Delhi has experienced 62% more rainfall than usual this year, with Safdarjung city receiving 1029.9mm rainfall being the primary weather station. According to the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) heavy rains usually help lower pollution by clearing away topsoil, the average PM2.5 concentration in Delhi and parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) was the highest recorded during this period since 2021.

The method of clod seeding was adopted by the Delhi government last year in collaboration with IIT Kanpur to curb the pollution. However, progress has been slowed by delays in receiving necessary approvals from central stakeholders.

Rai requested the central  government to fasten the process of approval as Cloud seeding is the only alternative they have to combat air pollution in the city.

What is Cloud Seeding?

Cloud seeding is the process of generating rain artificially to remove the pollutants from the atmosphere. It has been considered as the temporary solution to the rising pollution in the cities like Delhi and NCR.

Cloud seeding originated after World War II, and aims to artificially enhance rainfall. Despite ongoing scientific uncertainties, it is widely used in many dry regions around the world.

There are two main techniques for cloud seeding. The first, hygroscopic cloud seeding, focuses on increasing the merging of water droplets in liquid clouds to create larger droplets that can fall as rain. This typically involves dispersing large salt particles into the cloud base. The second technique, glaciogenic cloud seeding, aims to create ice in supercooled clouds, also resulting in precipitation.

cloud seeding
Image Source: Just Agriculture

How Useful it is for Delhi and NCR

In cities like Delhi where pollution level is picking its soar, cloud seeding becomes an important alternative to combat this pollution. It clears the atmosphere by washing out the pollution which leads to cleaner air.

It also reduces airborne pollutants like dust smoke and chemicals by washing them out from the atmosphere and depositing them on ground. Cloud seeding helps in  dispersing smog and haze, making the air clearer and more breathable, which can have a positive impact on air quality in urban areas.

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