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Delhi Might Turn To Cloud Seeding To Counter Post-Diwali Pollution & Here’s All You Need To Know

Delhi Diwali artificial rain

With air pollution levels expected to rise after Diwali, Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has suggested that the capital may consider artificial rain to help reduce smog and improve air quality. The move is being considered as part of broader efforts to tackle post-festive pollution, and here’s all you need to know about this.

Delhi’s Post-Diwali Artificial Rain Plan

Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Lalith_Herath (representative image)

On Wednesday, as Delhi’s pollution levels continued to drop to the ‘poor’ category ahead of Diwali, the Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said that they are prepared to carry out artificial rain plans in the city to reduce air pollution around Diwali. According to Hindustan Times, the authorities have already carried out four days of trial flights over a target area in northwest Delhi.

While addressing the media, he said the project is awaiting a final go-ahead from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). When they get a green signal in 2-3 days, they will conduct a sample cloud seeding, even if it’s a day or two after Diwali. He said the aircraft for the artificial rain in Delhi are stationed in Meerut, and as soon as they get a go-ahead, the pilots will do cloud seeding after blasting or spraying it.

Also Read: Supreme Court Permits Green Firecrackers In Delhi-NCR This Diwali: Timings, Rules, & Safety Measures Explained

All You Need To Know About This

As per Hindustan Times’ report, the artificial rain project in Delhi is being carried out in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. The intuition has helped modify a Cessna-206H aircraft for the purpose of cloud seeding. As part of this process, substances such as silver iodide will be dispersed into clouds. This will help enhance the clouds’ ability to produce rain.

Right now, the city sky lacks sufficient cloud density, which is crucial for the plan, and thus, there is a delay in the operation. If the authorities are able to successfully carry out artificial rains in Delhi, the air quality in the capital will improve by 50–80 AQI points. It all depends on intensity and the spread area. Light showers won’t help the city, and strong rain spells are required for greater effect in the city’s AQI.

Also Read: Visited By Virat Kohli & Deepika Padukone, Mumbai’s South Indian Spot, Benne Arrives In Delhi

More details about this are awaited.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/tzahiV (representative image)

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Tashika Tyagi: Good coffee, charming cafes, indulgent desserts, and Indian street food - these are just a few things Tashika can never say 'no' to! When she’s not scouting out new spots to explore or eat at, you'll likely find her experimenting with Instagram recipes in the kitchen or binge-watching a K-drama.