Delhi, battling severe air pollution, has turned to cloud seeding as a potential short-term solution to improve its hazardous air quality. The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) has consistently been in the “severe plus” category, with readings above 450 since Sunday. Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, has called for the intervention of the Central government, urging Prime Minister Narendra Modi to facilitate artificial rain to address the escalating pollution levels.
What is Cloud Seeding?
Cloud seeding, also known as artificial rain, is a weather modification technique designed to enhance precipitation. This process involves introducing substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice into clouds to stimulate the formation of rain or snow. These substances act as nuclei, allowing water droplets to form around them and eventually leading to increased precipitation.
How Cloud Seeding Works
Cloud seeding is carried out through various methods, including:
- Aircraft: Dispensing substances into clouds from the sky.
- Ground-based generators: Releasing chemicals from the ground to encourage cloud formation.
- Rockets: In some cases, rockets are used to deliver seeding materials into the clouds.
The goal is to increase rainfall, which could help settle pollutants and dust particles, temporarily improving air quality.
Cloud Seeding and Air Pollution
In the context of air pollution, cloud seeding is being considered as a potential method to “wash away” harmful particulate matter and other pollutants. By increasing rainfall, the theory suggests that dust and airborne particles could be settled out of the air, providing temporary relief from hazardous air quality.
The Proposal for Cloud Seeding in Delhi
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has proposed a cloud seeding project to the Delhi government. The project is estimated to cost approximately Rs 1 lakh per square kilometer. However, the effectiveness of this technique in improving air quality is still debated. While cloud seeding has shown some success in increasing precipitation, its impact on air pollution remains uncertain.
Challenges and Concerns
Despite the potential for short-term improvement, cloud seeding is not without challenges:
- Weather Conditions: The technique requires specific atmospheric conditions, such as clouds with sufficient moisture, which may not always be present.
- Environmental Impact: Introducing chemicals into the atmosphere raises concerns about long-term environmental effects. Some experts suggest that addressing the root causes of air pollution, like reducing emissions and improving pollution control measures, should be the priority.
- Not a Long-Term Solution: Experts warn that cloud seeding should not be viewed as a permanent fix for Delhi’s pollution problem. It should be part of a broader strategy that includes long-term measures to address the underlying causes of air pollution.
Conclusion
Cloud seeding remains a topic of interest in Delhi’s ongoing battle with air pollution. While it could provide some short-term relief, experts emphasize the importance of long-term strategies aimed at reducing emissions and implementing stricter pollution control measures to tackle the root causes of the city’s air quality crisis.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is cloud seeding?
- a) A method of controlling temperature
- b) A weather modification technique to increase precipitation
- c) A method of reducing air pollution by filtering air
- d) A process to create artificial clouds
- Which substances are commonly used in cloud seeding?
- a) Carbon dioxide and nitrogen
- b) Silver iodide, potassium iodide, and dry ice
- c) Hydrogen and oxygen
- d) Salt and sand
- What is the primary goal of cloud seeding in relation to air pollution?
- a) To enhance visibility in the sky
- b) To increase rainfall and settle pollutants from the air
- c) To create artificial thunderstorms
- d) To reduce the temperature of the air
- Which institute proposed a cloud seeding project to the Delhi government?
- a) Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kanpur
- b) Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur
- c) Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI)
- d) Delhi University
- What is a significant challenge to the implementation of cloud seeding in Delhi?
- a) Lack of interest from the public
- b) Unsuitable atmospheric conditions
- c) Too high a cost for the government
- d) Limited number of cloud-seeding experts
- What do experts warn regarding cloud seeding?
- a) It should be relied upon as a permanent solution
- b) It could make air quality worse
- c) It should not be seen as a long-term solution for air pollution
- d) It is dangerous and should be banned