Artificial Rain in Delhi-NCR to Tackle Air Pollution. Delhi, Gurugram, Noida, and surrounding areas of the National Capital Region (NCR) recently experienced a much-needed respite from the persistent bad air quality. The intervening night of Thursday and Friday brought showers, coinciding with the city’s ongoing efforts to implement the concept of ‘artificial rain‘ as a solution to curtail pollution. Visuals from Kartavya Path, ITO, and the Delhi-Noida border showcased light to moderate-intensity rain showers, significantly impacting the air quality index (AQI), which recorded less than 100 in the morning compared to the previous night’s 400+.
The Regional Weather Forecasting Centre (RWFC) anticipates episodes of light-intensity intermittent rainfall over Delhi-NCR and its surrounding regions. Noida, Dadri, Greater Noida, Faridabad, and other regions are also expected to receive these showers.
In a proactive move, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai engaged with a team from IIT-Kanpur to explore the possibility of artificial rainfall through cloud seeding, targeting November 20-21 if weather conditions permit.
The Delhi government has taken a bold step by deciding to cover the entire cost of artificial rain to combat hazardous air pollution. This commitment is reinforced by directing the chief secretary to present the government’s stance before the Supreme Court. If supported by the Centre, Delhi could witness its first artificial rain by November 20, employing cloud seeding techniques involving substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide, and dry ice.
Artificial rain through cloud seeding is a well-established weather modification technique used globally, particularly in regions facing water scarcity or drought. As Delhi gears up for this innovative solution, it marks a significant stride towards sustainable environmental practices and a brighter, cleaner future for the capital.