Cloud seeding: Pune-IITM scientists say a misguided fix for Delhi’s pollution crisis

To code Delhi’s aerial contamination crisis, Environment Minister Gopal Rai has suggested that the Delhi authorities is looking into different options similar artificial rain, which tin pb to settling airborne pollutants and amended visibility. However, according to scientists, successful the caller aerial contamination successful Delhi, the lack of clouds person posed a important situation for artificial rainfall efforts.

“Cloud seeding requires the beingness of clouds, and without them, the process is simply not possible. Moreover, not each clouds are suitable for unreality seeding, arsenic circumstantial types and conditions are indispensable to make artificial rainfall effectively,” Dr Ghude said.

Over the past 5 years, information showed that during highest contamination episodes successful Delhi and the surrounding areas, clouds are seldom present. Without clouds, unreality seeding becomes ineffective, raising questions astir its feasibility successful specified conditions.

“Cloud seeding requires the beingness of moisture-laden clouds. Delhi’s winters are typically adust with minimal unreality cover, making seeding ineffective. The occurrence of unreality seeding is not guaranteed, arsenic it heavy depends connected pre-existing upwind conditions and precise execution,” the idiosyncratic said.

According to the expert, during winter, Delhi often experiences somesthesia inversions, trapping pollutants adjacent the surface. “These unchangeable atmospheric conditions bash not favour the improvement of clouds that could beryllium seeded. The standard of Delhi’s contamination occupation is vast, requiring massive, continuous rainfall implicit a ample country to person a measurable impact,” helium added.

Even if a fewer isolated clouds could beryllium seeded—an improbable scenario—it would not effect successful dense oregon wide rainfall. According to Dr Ghude, the effort required to make sustained rainfall for effectual contamination power is neither applicable nor feasible.

Winter contamination successful Delhi is chiefly caused by good particulate substance (PM2.5 and PM10) from vehicular emissions, stubble burning, and concern activity. “Rain tin temporarily lavation distant pollutants but doesn’t code the root of emissions. Rain mightiness cleanable the aerial momentarily, but contamination levels tin rapidly rebound arsenic emissions persist,” Dr Ghude said.