The Delhi government is planning to use artificial rain through cloud seeding this month to tackle the high air pollution in the city. Environment Minister Gopal Rai met with a team from IIT Kanpur on November 8 to explore implementing artificial rainfall in the city. Following the meeting, Mr Rai mentioned that if the skies are cloudy on November 20-21, Delhi might experience artificial rainfall. It is a creative approach to address the Air Quality Index (AQI) concerns in the capital.
What is artificial rain?
Artificial rain, also known as cloud seeding, is a weather modification technique where substances are introduced into clouds to encourage precipitation. In the case of cloud seeding for rain, common substances like silver iodide or potassium iodide are dispersed into the clouds using aeroplanes or helicopters. These particles serve as nuclei around which water droplets can form, eventually leading to the development of raindrops. The process typically takes around half an hour, but its success depends on specific meteorological conditions, such as the presence of moisture-laden clouds and suitable wind patterns. The aim is to enhance rainfall in specific areas or alleviate drought conditions. It's a fascinating method used to influence weather patterns for agricultural, environmental, or water resource management purposes.
Delhi, today, has an AQI of 670, which is extremely “hazardous”, according to the Delhi Air Pollution Board. Pollutants like fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and others are likely to be well above safe limits, contributing to respiratory issues, cardiovascular problems, and other health complications. Vulnerable populations, such as children, the elderly, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions, are particularly at risk. Breathing in the polluted air in Delhi is said to be like smoking around 10 cigarettes a day, according to doctors.
The government is trying to tackle the issue by implementing measures like the odd-even scheme for vehicles, closing schools for in-person classes, and following Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). However, experts are warning that things might get even worse during Diwali due to firecrackers.
Two-year-old Sumaiya Ansari, a resident of India's Byrnihat town which is ranked the world's most polluted metropolitan area by Swiss Group IQAir, was battling breathing problems for several days before she was hospitalised in March and given oxygen.
Earth Day is observed in over 190 countries, making it one of the largest secular observances in the world.
Delhi AQI Update: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data showed that the national capital's air quality was in the moderate category.
The electrification of Caltrain in the San Francisco Bay Area has led to a significant reduction in toxic black carbon, improving air quality for commuters and residents. The study found an average reduction of 89% in riders' exposure to black carbon
India's air quality is far short of WHO standards and more than 40 per cent of its population still relies on biomass fuels, leading to deaths every year, an official from the United Nations body has said.
................................ Advertisement ................................
Opinion | Why Indians Have Just Given Up On Air Pollution CrisisTanushree Ganguly
Friday December 20, 2024While some may argue that people in Delhi are now more aware of air pollution than they were a decade back, my rebuttal would be that awareness does not mean that people are concerned.
Opinion | You Must Outrage Over Filthy Air More Than Once A YearJyoti Pande Lavakare
Tuesday December 10, 2024Delhi welcomed us with monsoon rains and mangos. We were home. Fast forward a couple of years, in the winter of 2012, I found myself in denial about something other parents, mostly expats, were calling toxic air.
Opinion | Delhi's Air Pollution Situation Is Like A Bad MarriageNishtha Gautam
Friday November 22, 2024On a good day, such as today, the AQI reading in Delhi is 407. We are jubilant at the sickly sunshine trickling through the slightly dissipated smog. At least its not 1600.
दिवाली... पराली... सियासी जुगाली!Ashwini kumar
Monday November 18, 2024दिल्ली-एनसीआर में प्रदूषण का समाधान तो आज तक मिला नहीं. हर साल चिंतित होकर हम-आप सांसों की तकलीफ के साथ-साथ दिल और ब्लड प्रेशर के मरीज भी क्यों बनें?
घर में कैद बुजुर्ग और हांफते लोग, दिल्ली की सांसों में घुला ये कैसा रोग?Nidhi Kulpati
Friday November 08, 2024हमारी हवा जहरीली हो रही है. गुरुवार की शाम को जब मैं इस मुद्दे पर लिखने बैठी तो AQI लगातार 400 पार जाकर दम घोंट रहा था. बहुत लोगों को यह मामला बोरिंग लगे, लेकिन जब आप अपने साथ काम करने वालों को खांसते-हांफते देखते-सुनते हैं, तो चिंता होने लगती है. सुबह उठते ही दरवाजे खिड़कियां खोलने के लिए डॉक्टर मना कर रहे हैं. बड़े बुजुर्गों के लिए तो मॉर्निंग वॉक बाहर की दुनिया से सीधे संपर्क का ज़रिया है, लेकिन डॉक्टर इसकी भी मनाही कर रहे हैं.