Delhi’s ongoing battle against air pollution has led to the implementation of cloud seeding technology, with two consecutive operations recently completed. This advanced weather modification technique, executed by IIT Kanpur experts, aims to enhance rainfall and thus improve air quality following a recent spike in the city’s AQI.
Cloud seeding involves introducing materials like silver iodide into clouds to encourage the formation of raindrops. The recent Delhi operations utilized aircraft launched from Kanpur and Meerut, covering a broad geographical area. Eight flares, each weighing 0.5 kg and containing a precipitation-enhancing compound, were released per flight. The flights, lasting about 90 minutes each, targeted clouds with humidity levels between 15-20%, considered viable for scientific testing.
Early data indicates a positive impact on air quality markers. Monitoring stations recorded a reduction in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations in areas affected by the seeding. For example, PM2.5 levels saw a decrease of up to 12 percent, and PM10 levels dropped by as much as 20 percent. These reductions are primarily linked to the effects of the cloud seeding particles and the resulting increased moisture within the clouds, especially in the absence of strong winds.
Despite these encouraging signs for air quality, the main goal of inducing significant rainfall has not yet been achieved. Scientists attribute this to the lack of substantial moisture in the clouds available for seeding. While the experiments provide valuable data and build confidence in the process, the inherent limitations of current cloud conditions pose a challenge. Further flights are planned, including two more on Wednesday and an additional overall round, highlighting the persistent effort to utilize this technology to mitigate Delhi’s pollution woes.