## Delhi’s Air Quality Crisis: A Plea for Cloud Seeding
Delhi is choking. With the national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) dangerously nearing the 500 mark – indicating severe and hazardous air pollution – Delhi’s Environment Minister and AAP leader, Gopal Rai, has issued a desperate plea: consider cloud seeding as an emergency measure.
In a strongly worded letter to Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Rai underscored the gravity of the situation. He’s not just requesting a meeting; he’s demanding urgent action. Rai’s letter explicitly calls for an emergency meeting involving the Delhi government, IIT Kanpur, and crucial central government departments including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and the Ministry of Defence – all essential for obtaining the necessary clearances to proceed with cloud seeding.
Rai’s urgency is understandable. He emphasizes that Delhi’s AQI has already surpassed 450, triggering the implementation of the fourth stage of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-IV). While the Delhi government has proactively implemented the Winter Action Plan since September 25th, 2024, and is exploring alternative solutions, Rai believes cloud seeding offers a critical immediate solution. He points out that past correspondence, dating back to August 30th, October 10th, and October 23rd, 2024, already voiced concerns about Delhi’s deteriorating winter air quality and advocated for cloud seeding as a potential remedy.
Understanding Cloud Seeding: A Scientific Approach to Air Pollution Control
Cloud seeding, a form of weather modification, involves dispersing substances like silver iodide or dry ice into clouds to stimulate precipitation. This process artificially induces rain, effectively washing away pollutants from the atmosphere. It’s not a new concept; it’s a technique that has been explored for decades, with countries like the UAE even utilizing it to mitigate water shortages. Last year, the Delhi government, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, investigated cloud seeding as a potential emergency measure to combat air pollution during similar critical periods. However, implementing the technique requires clearance from various agencies, causing bureaucratic hurdles during emergencies.
How Does Cloud Seeding Work?
Cloud seeding works by introducing “seeding agents” – typically silver iodide or salt – into clouds. These agents act as nuclei, prompting water vapor to condense more readily. In subfreezing clouds, tiny ice nuclei facilitate snowflake formation. These ice particles grow by colliding with water molecules, ultimately falling to the ground as precipitation. Weather forecasting plays a crucial role, with experts closely monitoring atmospheric conditions to identify clouds suitable for seeding, maximizing the chances of successful precipitation. The effectiveness of cloud seeding varies; studies suggest it can increase rainfall by 30-35% in clear conditions and 10-15% in more humid environments.
The Urgent Need for Action:
Rai’s plea highlights the desperate need for innovative and effective solutions to tackle Delhi’s worsening air pollution crisis. Cloud seeding, while not a silver bullet, presents a potential emergency measure that could offer immediate relief and improve the city’s hazardous air quality. The success of this approach depends on swift action from the central government and a streamlined process for securing the necessary approvals. The clock is ticking, and the citizens of Delhi await a decisive response.
