Delhi Government's Cloud-Seeding Efforts Raise Concerns About Effectiveness in Curbing Air Pollution

Strategic Insights -

Delhi has been plagued by severe air pollution in recent weeks, pushing its air quality into the "very-poor" category. In an attempt to mitigate this issue, the Delhi government, in collaboration with IIT Kanpur, has initiated cloud-seeding trials. However, experts have raised concerns about the viability of this approach, citing a lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness. Despite initial claims of success, the first trial failed to produce rain, with the weather department not recording any traces of rain in the city.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Delhi government has approved a ₹3.2-crore cloud-seeding trial to induce rain and curb toxic air pollution.
  • The trial uses Cessna aircraft to release flares containing sodium iodide and sodium chloride particles over several areas across Delhi.
  • Experts have questioned the viability of cloud seeding, citing a lack of evidence supporting its effectiveness in reducing air pollution.
  • A nationwide air quality monitoring network recorded Delhi's average levels of PM 2.5 to be 136 micrograms per cubic metre, about nine times the limit recommended by the World Health Organisation.
  • A previous test flight over north Delhi failed to produce rain, with atmospheric moisture below 20 per cent, short of the 50 per cent typically required for cloud-seeding.
  • Scientists have raised concerns about the criteria considered in the trial, including cloud moisture, temperature, and updraft wind.
  • Authorities in China, South Korea, and Pakistan have also tried cloud-seeding to address air pollution, but evidence for its effectiveness remains limited and inconsistent.
  • Experts say the real solution to air pollution lies in finding ways to reduce or curb the pollution sources, rather than relying on cloud-seeding.

Statistics:

  • Delhi's average levels of PM 2.5 were 136 micrograms per cubic metre at 7pm on Tuesday.
  • The World Health Organisation recommends a limit of 15 micrograms per cubic metre for PM 2.5.
  • The Delhi government has approved ₹3.2 crore for the cloud-seeding trial.
  • The first trial used a Cessna aircraft to release flares containing sodium iodide and sodium chloride particles over several areas across Delhi.
  • The trial failed to produce rain, with the weather department not recording any traces of rain in the city.

Sources:

  • PTI, "Delhi government starts cloud seeding operations to bring rain, curb pollution"
  • PTI, "IIT Kanpur to help Delhi government in cloud seeding for artificial rain"
  • The Telegraph, "India's biggest randomised cloud-seeding trial yields 18% more rainfall, but efficacy still debated"
  • Contify.com, "Delhi's air quality to remain 'very poor' until October 31, says government's weather and air quality agency forecast"