Delhi proposes to induce artificial rains to tackle rising pollution

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.

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.