• By Priyanka Koul
  • Tue, 19 Nov 2024 02:48 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Delhi AQI: Delhi's Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, on Tuesday, wrote to the Central government seeking the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to initiate artificial rain in the National Capital Region (NCR) as part of efforts to combat the worsening air pollution levels. Delhi along with NCR cities including Noida, Gurugram, Faridabad and Ghaziabad are experiencing extremely high pollution levels, with AQI reaching the “severe+” category.

"Layers of smog have covered North India. Artificial rain is the only solution to rid us of the smog. This is a medical emergency," said Minister Gopal Rai. His comments come as Delhi AQI remains in the severe plus category for the third consecutive day, with a thick layer of smog blanketing the national capital. "PM Modi should intervene; it is his moral responsibility to act. The Centre must take steps to control pollution," he added.

 The Air Quality Index (AQI) spiked to an alarming 494 under the 'severe plus' category on Tuesday morning. Despite the implementation of the strictest Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) IV restrictions in Delhi, several air monitoring stations reported AQI levels exceeding 500. The idea of using artificial rain in the NCR is being considered as a potential solution to clear the smog and improve air quality. But what exactly is artificial rain?

What is Artificial Rain?

Artificial rain, also known as cloud seeding, involves dispersing substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide, and dry ice into the atmosphere to trigger the formation of rain. The process typically takes about 30 minutes to produce rainfall, potentially clearing the smog and improving air quality.

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How Does Artificial Rain Work?

Cloud seeding works by encouraging water droplets in the clouds to grow larger and heavier so that they can fall as rain. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Identifying Suitable Clouds: Not all clouds can produce rain. Scientists first identify clouds that have enough moisture but require a little help to release it.

2. Seeding the Clouds: A plane or ground-based equipment releases substances such as silver iodide, salt particles, or dry ice into the clouds. These substances act as "seeds" around which water droplets can form.

3. Droplet Growth: Water vapour in the cloud condenses around these tiny particles, forming larger and heavier droplets.

4. Rainfall: Once the droplets become heavy enough, they fall to the ground as rain.

Concerns and Limitations of Artificial Rain

Although cloud seeding is generally considered safe, there are some concerns, including:

1. Environmental Impact: Ongoing studies are examining whether chemicals like silver iodide could have long-term effects on ecosystems.

2. Cost: The process can be expensive, making it less accessible for some regions.

3. Weather Dependency: Artificial rain cannot create clouds; it can only work when suitable clouds are already present.

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Can Artificial Rain Make a Difference in Delhi?

Artificial rain usually works best when clouds already contain sufficient moisture. It cannot create clouds or guarantee rain. While some studies suggest that chemicals like silver iodide are generally safe for the environment, others continue to monitor their long-term impact. The process can be costly, and it doesn't work everywhere.

One of the most famous examples of artificial rain occurred during the 2008 Beijing Olympics when China used cloud seeding to prevent rain over the 91,000-seat National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest. The Chinese government began experimenting with weather manipulation in 1958 to address the arid conditions in their northern regions, which were frequently plagued by droughts and famines.

Another country which has in the past resorted to artificial rain is the UAE, where annual rainfall averages less than 200 mm and temperatures can soar to 50 degrees Celsius during the summer. The UAE first tested cloud seeding in 1982, and by the early 2000s, its artificial rain programme had been enhanced through collaboration with scientific and technical research bodies.

However, not all cloud-seeding efforts have been successful. For example, the Russian government invested over a million dollars to prevent rain during the May Day celebrations in 2014. The Kremlin allocated approximately 86 million rubles (around $1.3 million) to ensure dry weather, but reports suggest there was still light rain on the day. Whether the cloud seeding was effective in reducing the rain’s impact is still debated, highlighting the challenges in assessing the success of such experiments.

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