Delhi has undertaken two consecutive cloud seeding operations in an effort to combat its severe air pollution crisis. The initiative, managed by experts from IIT Kanpur, follows a significant decline in the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI). Cloud seeding, a form of weather modification, aims to induce rainfall by dispersing particles like silver iodide into suitable clouds via aircraft.
The operations were launched from airfields in Kanpur and Meerut, targeting areas including Khekra, Burari, North Karol Bagh, Mayur Vihar, Sadakpur, and Bhojpur. Each sortie involved dispersing eight flares, each weighing 0.5 kg, containing a specialized mixture designed to enhance precipitation. While humidity levels were on the lower side, ranging from 15 to 20 percent, they were deemed sufficient for a meaningful scientific test. Each flight lasted approximately 1.5 hours to ensure comprehensive coverage.
Initial observations indicated a marginal drop in PM2.5 and PM10 levels in key locations like Mayur Vihar, Karol Bagh, and Burari. For instance, PM2.5 concentrations decreased by approximately 6-12 percent, and PM10 levels saw reductions of around 10-20 percent in these areas. These improvements are largely attributed to the enhanced cloud moisture and particle settling effect stimulated by the seeding process, especially given the minimal wind activity.
Despite the positive impact on particulate matter, significant rainfall has not yet materialized. Experts explain that the clouds present lacked sufficient moisture, making rain induction challenging. Although the tests have provided valuable data and boosted the team’s confidence, further attempts are planned. Two additional flights were scheduled for Wednesday, with a third round of cloud seeding also announced, underscoring the ongoing commitment to this innovative approach for improving Delhi’s air quality.
