The Delhi government is set to conduct its first cloud seeding today, if weather conditions are favorable, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said. The cloud seeding operation is likely to take place between 12:30 pm and 1 pm.
“Regarding cloud seeding, as soon as the weather clears up in Kanpur, our aircraft will take off from there today. If it succeeds in taking off from there, cloud seeding will be done in Delhi today. Through that cloud seeding, there will be rainfall in Delhi. Right now, the visibility in Kanpur is 2000 meters. Visibility of 5000 meters is being awaited there. Visibility is low in Delhi too. We hope that this will be possible by 12:30-1 pm. Then it will take off from there, do cloud seeding here, and return,” Manjinder Singh Sirsa said.
What is artificial rain or cloud seeding?
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that involves the process of adding substances like silver iodide and dry ice to clouds to enhance the rain or snow from existing clouds. It is done to eliminate water scarcity or to reduce hail and clear fog. The substance used in the process prompts water droplets in the clouds, which grow heavier and larger, subsequently pouring water or snow to the ground. The process can not create new clouds but can work, but works only when there are naturally formed clouds with sufficient moisture. In an attempt to reduce pollution and provide clear air to the citizens, the Delhi government has decided to undertake the cloud seeding process.
Delhi’s AQI today
As per the records of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the AQI in Delhi was marked at 306 (as of 8 am); this falls under the category of ‘very poor’.
As reported by the NDTV, the AQI in Anand Vihar was 321, RK Puram was 320, Siri Fort was 350, Bawana was 336, Burari Crossing was 326, Dwarka Sector 8 was 316, Mundka was 324, Narela was 303, and Punjabi Bagh was 323.
