By Admin 
Responding to Delhi government’s artificial rain trial, environmental experts have called it a short-term measure. Environmentalists have said that this may reduce pollution temporarily, but it will not solve the root causes of the deteriorating air quality in the national capital. In fact, the Delhi government, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, conducted a trial on Tuesday (28 October) to provide artificial rainfall in some parts of the city.
Environmentalist Vimalendu Jha said, “Rain can reduce pollution, but it is only a temporary solution, which can provide relief for a few days. This cannot be done every time.” He said that the government should focus on tackling pollution at the grassroots level.
Artificial rain also affects soil and water bodies – Expert
Vimalendu Jha questioned, “Artificial rain also affects the soil and water bodies because chemicals like sulfur and iodide are sprayed for it. Moreover, this approach is city-specific, what about pollutants coming from neighboring states?”
Author and clean air advocate Jyoti Pandey Lavrey compared the artificial rain test to previous short-term measures such as ‘smog towers’. He said, “The only way to reduce pollution is to reduce emissions, for which no one is ready.” Adding chemicals to clouds or air is for show, not for real change,” he said, adding that recent policy decisions like withdrawal of emission norms for thermal power plants have weakened pollution control efforts.
‘Such options should not be seen as solutions’
Kriti Gupta, another environmentalist, said that such options can be considered, but should not be seen as solutions in themselves. “We should be prepared for scientific trials, but should not prioritize them as the only option,” he said. Citizen awareness, reduced use of private transport, control of dust sources and better waste management are necessary for sustainable improvement.
Artificial rain trial to provide relief from air pollution
Artificial rain was tested on Tuesday in an effort to provide relief to Delhi from air pollution. Last week also, the aircraft had carried out a test flight to spray chemicals for artificial rain in Burari area. During this period, limited spraying of silver iodide and sodium chloride compounds was done. However, the effort did not succeed due to atmospheric moisture levels being less than 20 percent, compared to 50 percent required for successful artificial rainfall.