Delhi, India’s bustling capital, is no stranger to environmental challenges, with air pollution and water scarcity being persistent issues. As per current evaluation, the air quality of Delhi worsened to “severe“ category on Wednesday, from the upper end of the “very poor” category on Tuesday.
Delhi’s 24-hour average air quality index (AQI) was 426 at 4 p.m. Wednesday, up from 395 on Tuesday, as per the CPCB’s daily official bulletin, which is considered as the day’s official AQI. A higher value of AQI means an increase in air pollution.
To mitigate these worries, the city has used cutting-edge technologies, namely cloud seeding for artificial rain. This innovative method addresses the urgent issue of water scarcity while also potentially providing respite from air pollution. We will dissect the science of artificial rain and cloud seeding in this blog, as well as consider any possible effects on Delhi’s natural ecosystem.
Cloud seeding stands as a testament to human ingenuity in manipulating weather patterns for the greater good. This weather modification technique aims to augment precipitation within clouds. The process involves the introduction of substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, promoting the formation and growth of water droplets within the clouds.
In the context of Delhi’s efforts to induce artificial rain, cloud seeding typically In order to create precipitation, the method entails using an aircraft to spray clouds with solid carbon dioxide, sometimes referred to as dry ice, or salts like silver or potassium iodide.
Gopal Rai, the Environment Minister of Delhi, declared that the city would make an effort to trigger artificial rain as a measure to combat the increasing pollution levels on Wednesday. Rai held a meeting with experts from IIT Kanpur to discuss the prospects of cloud seeding for inducing rain.
Clouds are essentially composed of tiny water droplets or ice crystals. Cloud seeding leverages the fact that these droplets need a surface to condense upon, forming larger water droplets that eventually fall as rain. The introduction of seeding agents provides this surface, initiating the coalescence process.
Silver iodide, a common cloud seeding agent, has a crystalline structure similar to that of ice. When released into the atmosphere, it provides a nucleus around which water droplets can condense, kickstarting the transformation from tiny droplets to larger, precipitation-ready ones.
Meteorological factors must be carefully considered in the precise science of cloud seeding. Requirements for successful cloud seeding include the availability of appropriate clouds, ideal temperatures, and humidity levels. Therefore, in order to determine the best times for cloud seeding activities, meteorologists and environmental scientists keep a constant eye on weather trends.
Convective clouds, which bring about the summer monsoons in Delhi, are a common target of the city’s cloud seeding programmes. Because of their upward air currents, these clouds are perfect for dispersing seeding agents, increasing the likelihood that rain will fall.
(Source – https://medium.com/@thanuja.s/cloud-seeding-an-artificial-rainfall-85638b433f4a)
One of the most compelling aspects of artificial rain and cloud seeding for Delhi is its potential impact on air quality. The process of precipitation effectively acts as a natural air purifier, clearing the atmosphere of pollutants. As raindrops form and fall, they capture particulate matter and pollutants present in the air, effectively cleansing the environment.
By incorporating cloud seeding into its environmental strategy, Delhi aims not only to mitigate water scarcity but also to enhance air quality during periods of heightened pollution, such as the post-monsoon season. This dual-benefit approach aligns with the city’s commitment to sustainable and comprehensive environmental management.
Beyond its air quality benefits, artificial rain has profound implications for Delhi’s water supply. The city faces perennial water scarcity, exacerbated by a rapidly growing population and changing climate patterns. Cloud seeding offers a potential solution by increasing precipitation and contributing to the replenishment of water resources.
As cloud seeding projects progress, authorities anticipate enhanced water availability for agricultural and domestic purposes. This, in turn, could alleviate pressure on existing water sources and contribute to sustainable water management in the region.
While cloud seeding holds promise, it is not without its challenges and controversies. Skeptics raise concerns about the environmental impact of introducing seeding agents into the atmosphere. Additionally, the effectiveness of cloud seeding is influenced by a myriad of factors, including cloud type, altitude, and atmospheric conditions.
Public perception and acceptance also play a role in the success of cloud seeding initiatives. Educating the public about the science behind artificial rain and addressing concerns can foster greater understanding and support for these innovative approaches to environmental management.
To address this issue, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has proposed the idea of “artificial rain” to reduce pollution levels in the national capital. This project has been in development since 2018, and the institute conducted trials in July of this year, as reported by the Economic Times. The researchers have secured the necessary permissions from government authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), to carry out cloud seeding for this purpose.
The Indian government is exploring an innovative approach to combat the annual menace of toxic air pollution in Delhi – artificial rain induced through cloud seeding. Struggling with the winter smog that plagues its 35 million residents, Delhi’s administration is treating the pollution crisis as a disaster event.
Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, revealed plans for cloud seeding after discussions with specialists from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur. Cloud seeding involves stimulating rainfall to settle dust and pollutants temporarily, potentially providing a respite for the city.
However, the success of this approach hinges on existing moisture levels in the air, limiting its applicability. While rain can act as a natural cleanser by settling dust and dissolving pollutants, experts emphasize that artificial rain offers only a short-term solution. Professor Manindra Agrawal from IIT Kanpur suggests it could bring temporary relief for up to a week. The effectiveness of cloud seeding depends on specific atmospheric conditions, prompting calls for more research into its limitations and impact. This unconventional strategy follows the installation of “smog towers” in 2021, which, despite their high cost, failed to produce significant results. Critics argue that addressing the root causes of pollution should take precedence over technical fixes.
Despite the above concerns, Delhi government is all set to take the bold step to take action in this regard. Preparations for the innovative strategy to induce artificial rain in Delhi are in full swing, as Professor Sachchida Nand Tripathi, a member of the steering and monitoring committee of the National Clean Air Programme at IIT Kanpur, provides insights.
He reveals that the necessary equipment, including an aircraft, cloud seeding apparatus, and a proprietary solution, has been meticulously stocked. The expert team is actively engaged in monitoring the atmospheric conditions, closely tracking the cloud dynamics.
“Everything is in place. The equipment, from the aircraft to the cloud seeding apparatus and our specially formulated solution, is ready for deployment. Our dedicated team has been vigilantly observing the evolving cloud situation,” affirms Professor Tripathi, underlining the thoroughness of the preparations for this unconventional approach to address Delhi’s persistent air pollution challenges.
Delhi’s foray into artificial rain and cloud seeding represents a bold step towards addressing the city’s multifaceted environmental challenges. By leveraging scientific advancements, the city aims to not only enhance air quality but also alleviate water scarcity, paving the way for a more sustainable and resilient future.
As cloud seeding projects unfold, continued research, public engagement, and adaptive strategies will be crucial in maximising the benefits of this pioneering technology for the residents of Delhi. The skies above the capital are indeed poised for a transformation, heralding a new era of environmental stewardship and innovation.
Leave a Reply