Artificial Rain To Tackle Delhi Air Pollution: What Is Cloud Seeding; IIT Kanpur's 'Quick Fix' Explained

Pollution levels in Delhi-NCR on Monday were recorded around seven to eight times above the government-prescribed safe limit, as a toxic haze persisted over the region for the seventh consecutive day. Stringent curbs, including a ban on entry of polluting trucks, came into effect in Delhi and the Centre also implemented all emergency measures mandated under the final Stage IV of its air pollution control plan called the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

To tackle this hazardous air pollution, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has reportedly developed a solution, which is "artificial rains", the premium science institute aims to conduct these rains through cloud seeding to help clear pollutants and dust from the air.

According to an IIT professor, the artificial rains can provide relief, albeit temporary, for up to a week to citizens in the NCR gasping for good quality air.

Reportedly, IIT Kanpur has been working on creating the necessary conditions for artificial rains for over five years and conducted successful trials in July, as per the Economic Times. The reports further added that the researchers have obtained the necessary permissions from government authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), for cloud seeding in the national capital.

Earlier, in September, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had said that the government was preparing to attempt cloud seeding for its winter action plan to combat air pollution.

“Experts from IIT-Kanpur also gave a presentation on how artificial rain can be produced. We have requested them to prepare a detailed presentation outlining various facets such as implementation and financial burden. The presentation will be placed before the CM and we will further explore the possibility of implementation of the measures,” said Rai.

What is Cloud Seeding?

Cloud seeding is a type of weather modification process which aims to change the amount or type of precipitation that falls from clouds by dispersing substances into the air that serve as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, which alter the microphysical processes within the cloud.

Cloud Seeding is carried out by aircraft, that flies and releases the seeding agents. After the seeding agent is released into the cloud, it takes some time for the precipitation to develop. Following, the condensation, the heavy particles then make landfall. Cloud seeding has been used in many parts of the world including China and UAE to make artificial rains on several occasions.

Types Of Cloud Seeding:

Static cloud seeding: This is used to increase precipitation from supercooled clouds (clouds that contain water droplets below freezing but are not yet frozen). Seeding agents such as dry ice or silver iodide are introduced into the clouds, which act as ice nuclei and cause the water droplets to freeze. The ice crystals then grow and eventually fall to the ground as snow or rain.

Dynamic cloud seeding: This is used to increase precipitation from convective clouds (such as thunderstorms). Seeding agents are released into the clouds to enhance updrafts, which can lead to the formation of larger and more intense clouds that produce more precipitation.

Purpose Of Cloud Seeding:

-This weather modification process helps in increasing precipitation in drought-stricken areas and helps to replenish water supplies and improve agricultural yields.

-Cloud seeding can be used to reduce the size of hailstones that form in thunderstorms. This can help to reduce damage to property and crops.
-It can also be used to dissipate fog at airports and other locations where it can pose a safety hazard.

Although cloud seeding has many pros, still it is a complex topic with a lot of nuances and its effectiveness is still debated.