Delhi: Artificial-rain likely this week to clear air of pollutants
In the wake of rising pollution level in Delhi, authorities might seed clouds to induce artificial rain this week to wash away toxic pollutants in the air. Delhi's air quality has deteriorated to alarming levels in the past three weeks. The cloud seeding would be done once the meteorological conditions are stable, if not, then it'd be done next week, a senior official said.
How does cloud seeding induce artificial rain?
Cloud seeding is a type of weather modification that requires combining different kinds of chemical agents, including silver iodide, dry ice, and even common table salt, with existing clouds in an effort to thicken them and increase the chances of rainfall. The weathermen are monitoring conditions to become favorable for creating artificial rain, which can be induced in 24 hours, the official said.
Government had previously explored the idea, but plan didn't materialize
Delhi's air quality was recorded in the 'very poor' category today due to humidity and slow wind speed. The overall Air Quality Index was recorded at 352, which falls in the 'very poor' category, according to the Central Pollution Control Board data. In 2016, the government tried to explore the possibility of cloud seeding for artificial rain but the plan never worked out.
