Delhi Air Pollution Solution: IIT Kanpur’s Cloud Seeding Initiative for Artificial Rain

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In the ongoing battle against soaring air pollution levels in New Delhi, the local government is actively exploring innovative solutions, with the implementation of artificial rain, or cloud seeding, emerging as a potential remedy. The Delhi Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, recently engaged with a team from IIT Kanpur to assess the feasibility of this unconventional approach, indicating that if atmospheric conditions permit, Delhi may experience artificial rainfall on November 20 and 21.

Artificial rain, commonly referred to as cloud seeding, involves the introduction of specific chemicals, including silver iodide, potassium iodide, and dry ice, into the atmosphere using aircraft or helicopters. These substances serve to attract water vapor, leading to cloud formation and subsequent precipitation. Various techniques exist for cloud seeding, such as seeding supercooled clouds with silver iodide or dry ice, and employing hygroscopic materials like salt particles for warm clouds.

IIT Kanpur, a leading institution in this groundbreaking initiative, has been actively researching pollution control since 2018 and successfully conducted cloud seeding trials in June of this year. With the approval of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), IIT Kanpur plans to deploy aircraft equipped with cloud-seeding devices to induce rains capable of washing away pollutants.

The proposed method involves using a six-seater Cessna plane to release salt from flares into the clouds, thereby stimulating and expediting the condensation process, ultimately resulting in rainfall. This approach showcases IIT Kanpur’s commitment to pioneering solutions for the environmental challenges faced by rapidly urbanizing areas.

Cloud seeding is not a new concept, as countries worldwide, including China and those in the Middle East, have employed artificial rain since as early as the 1940s. China, in particular, has successfully used this technique several times to combat air pollution effectively.

Addressing the financial aspect of the initiative, the IIT team informed the Delhi government that the estimated cost for the project is approximately ₹1 lakh per square kilometer. A senior government official stated that the Delhi government is prepared to bear this cost if the central government extends its support, signaling a collaborative effort to combat the pressing issue of air pollution in the capital.

However, it is crucial to note that while artificial rain may offer a brief respite from poor air quality, it is not a long-term solution. Cloud seeding requires permissions from various authorities, including the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Special Protection Group. Additionally, it raises environmental concerns, including potential drawbacks such as ocean acidification, ozone layer depletion, and the potential harm from the toxic silver iodide.

Manindra Agrawal, the IIT Kanpur professor leading the project, acknowledges that artificial rain could provide people in the National Capital Region (NCR) with a temporary break from the impacts of air pollution, estimating the relief to last about a week.

In light of the ongoing pollution crisis, the Delhi government is considering additional measures, such as the temporary closure of schools for in-person classes and the enforcement of Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP). These steps aim to complement the artificial rain initiative and collectively address the rising pollution levels in Delhi.

In conclusion, the pursuit of artificial rain through cloud seeding represents a proactive and innovative step in mitigating the severe air pollution crisis in Delhi. While not a panacea, it could provide temporary relief and underscores the urgency of collaborative efforts between academic institutions, governmental bodies, and the public to address environmental challenges in urban areas. The success of this initiative could pave the way for more sustainable and comprehensive solutions to tackle air pollution in the long run.

#Delhi  #Air Pollution #Artificial Rain #IIT Kanpur

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