What is Cloud Seeding? How will it transform Delhi's air quality?
- Ridhi Jain
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
With the air pollution and smog above Delhi, once more, a ray of hope may come in through the heavens - in the form of a scientific process called Cloud Seeding. This new technique is to introduce artificial rain to wipe out pollutants and provide a short-term solution to the quality of air in the capital. Yet will this experiment be able to alter the polluted skyline in Delhi?
What is Cloud Seeding and How Does Cloud Seeding Work?
Cloud Seeding is a weather modification method that increases rainfall through the scattering of silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice into the clouds. They are nuclei that help to draw in moisture and generate droplets of water. As the droplets accumulate sufficiently, artificial rain is formed, and this process helps in cleaning the atmosphere.
These agents are emitted by aircraft or ground-based machines into clouds that are full of moisture so that scientists can hasten the rain-making process. Successfully implemented, this technique can minimize the amount of pollution and make cities with smog problems more visible.
Where Cloud Seeding Succeeded - and Where it Struggled
The idea of Cloud Seeding is not that novel. It has been in use in countries such as China, the UAE, and the United States for decades. It was most famously used in 2008 by China in the Beijing Olympics to clear the skies so that the Olympics could open. Similarly, the UAE conducts cloud seeding regularly against desert dryness.
However, results vary. In certain areas, such as Indonesia and Australia, the weather was unfavorable for rainfall, though it was tried several times. The specialists point out that its success depends on humidity, wind patterns, and the density of clouds that are present. The same may be said of Delhi, which has a dry winter air, but scientists are optimistic that it will work.
Delhi’s Push for Artificial Rain
Delhi is spearheaded by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur in its endeavors to institute Cloud Seeding. The Delhi government intends to carry out test flights on confirmation that there is sufficient cloud cover by the Meteorological Department.
This aims to lower the levels of PM2.5- small-sized particles that are the main cause of pollution in Delhi by washing them off with rainwater. When properly done, it would
Give short-term relief and skies that are visibly clearer in hours.
Can Artificial Rain Truly Clean Delhi’s Air?
Although promising, it has been advised that Cloud Seeding is not a long-term solution. It eliminates the current pollution but not the causes of this pollution, such as vehicle emissions, construction dust, and crop burning. Effectiveness of the project will be based on the coordination, weather preparedness, and timely implementation.
Cloud Seeding is a radical move to innovation-driven sustainability despite its limitations. Successfully, it would be the start of a clean and greener Delhi - where both science and willpower unite to reclaim the lost blue Delhi skies.
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