Delhi Witnesses Artificial Rain Experiment to Tackle Air Pollution

Strategic Insights -

Air pollution levels in Delhi reached a critically poor rating of 294 on Tuesday, prompting an artificial rain experiment to potentially bring relief. The experiment, led by IIT-Kanpur, involved two cloud-seeding trials in association with Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sisra's office. While the operation did not yield rain in Delhi, reports indicate light rainfall in nearby Noida and Greater Noida, measured at 0.1 and 0.2 mm each at 4 pm. The success of the trials could lead to a long-term plan for February, with 9-10 such sorties scheduled in the coming days.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Delhi government and IIT-Kanpur conducted the cloud-seeding trial in association with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which had previously granted permission to conduct the trials between October 1 and November 30.
  • The operation involved releasing flares weighing about 0.5 kg, which burn for 2 to 2.5 minutes and release silver iodide and sodium chloride into moisture-bearing clouds.
  • The second seeding sortie took off from the Meerut airstrip carrying 4 kg of seeding material and landed back at 4.45 pm.
  • The IMD had forecast cloudy skies with mist, providing a narrow window of opportunity for seeding.
  • According to scientists, humidity in the target clouds ranged between 15-20%, which was insufficient for natural rain but ideal for testing precipitation potential.
  • The cost of five trials, as per the MoU signed between IIT-Kanpur and the environment department, was Rs 3.21 crore.
  • Dr. Thara Prabhakaran, a cloud seeding expert at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), highlighted the complexities of cloud seeding, stating that it depends on factors such as moisture, aerosols, and circulation patterns.

Statistics:

  • Air Quality Index: 294 (poor) in Delhi on Tuesday.
  • Rainfall measured in Noida and Greater Noida: 0.1 and 0.2 mm each at 4 pm.
  • Total cost of five trials: Rs 3.21 crore.
  • Number of seeding sorties scheduled in the coming days: 9-10.
  • Humidity in target clouds: between 15-20%.
  • Altitude for first round of flares release: approximately 4,000 feet above ground level.

Sources:

  • Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sisra's office.
  • IIT-Kanpur.
  • India Meteorological Department (IMD).
  • Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).
  • Envirocatalysts (Sunil Dahiya).