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.

Cloud seeding trials were conducted in many areas of Delhi on Tuesday (28 October). Now artificial rain is expected in some time. According to the information, if the weather cooperates, a second trial can also be conducted today.

The aircraft has returned to Meerut after trials. The plane took off from Kanpur this morning. Cloud seeding has been done in North Delhi and Outer Delhi on Tuesday.

Trial took place in these areas

Regarding this trial, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that cloud seeding trial was conducted today. This was done through Cessna plane, from Meerut the plane was flown to Delhi, cloud seeding took place in Khekra, Burari, Mayur Vihar and many areas.

The third trial will also take place today

He said that 8 flares were used, the entire process took about half an hour. The second and third trials will also take place today. It may rain anytime within 15 minutes to 4 hours. This shorty will continue like this for the next several days.

Experiments were conducted in these cities before Delhi

Let us tell you that this is the first time this technology has been used in Delhi. Earlier, cloud seeding has been used in cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Experts believe that due to this artificial rain, the dust, smoke and harmful particles present in the air will settle down, which will improve the AQI. At present the air level in Delhi has reached ‘severe’ category. According to Environment Department officials, if this experiment is successful then it can be repeated again in the coming weeks.

Help of scientists of IIT Kanpur is being taken

Help of scientists from IIT Kanpur is also being taken in the cloud seeding project. IIT Kanpur has already worked on this technology and its scientists are giving technical advice to the Delhi government. The government hopes that this initiative will not only make Delhi’s air a little cleaner, but will also provide some relief to the citizens from pollution. This step is being considered an important experiment towards making the capital clean and breathable.