In a letter to the central government Environment Minister Gopal Rai requested to convene a meeting of stakeholders to approve the cloud seeding proposal to artificially induce rain to combat Delhi’s air pollution.
The idea of artificial rain comes amid the national capital’s worsening air quality. On Wednesday morning, a thick layer of smog enveloped the city as its air quality remained in the ‘very poor’ category. The national capital’s Air Quality Index (AQI) was reported at 363.
On Monday the second stage of the Graded Response Action Plan was invoked by the Central Pollution Control Board in Delhi, restricting the usage of coal, firewood and diesel generator sets.
In his letter to the Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, Rai stressed on the need for measures to mitigate health risks posed by the hazardous smog and increasing pollution levels.
“The air quality of the capital has become alarming, and the government has initiated the Winter Action Plan from 25 September 2024 to fight pollution. However, if the situation worsens, we are exploring other options for immediate relief as well,” Rai said.
The government of Delhi reportedly considers cloud seeding, a process to artificially induce rain to wash away pollutants from the air. It needs clearances from a number of agencies under the central government like the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Defence and the Airports Authority of India, he added.
Given the possibility that the air quality may deteriorate to extreme levels in November, Rai suggested that all parties should meet and discuss this issue.
He further stressed on the importance of coordinated efforts between agencies like the CPCB, the India Meteorological Department, and the Bureau of Civil Aviation towards the implementation of cloud seeding as an emergency measure.
The letter also included a presentation by IIT Kanpur that explains the feasibility of cloud seeding.
“Considering the deteriorating pollution levels, it is important that we evaluate cloud seeding’s feasibility in the city’s context,” the letter said.
With Inputs from PTI.