In an effort to fight pollution, the Delhi Cabinet approved a project worth Rs 3.21 crore to conduct five cloud-seeding trials throughout the National Capital Region (NCR)

What Does Cloud Seeding Mean?

Cloud seeding is a technique used to modify weather by introducing substances into clouds to serve as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, thereby increasing precipitation.

Approach: Seeding agents such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), or liquid propane are released into the atmosphere using aircraft or rockets.

Objective: To enhance rainfall, minimize dust, prevent hailstorms, and improve air quality by settling airborne particles.

Optimal Conditions for Cloud Seeding

Cloud seeding depends on the presence of existing clouds; it cannot generate rain from nothing.

Suitable Conditions for Cloud Seeding Cloud seeding requires existing clouds; it will not produce rain out of thin air. Not all types of clouds are suitable for seeding. Clouds must be deep enough and of a suitable temperature (between -10 and -12 degrees Celsius) to be seeded effectively. The wind must be below a certain speed. These conditions are most common in mountainous areas.

Issues with Cloud Seeding

Chemical Use: The natural environment may be harmed by some chemicals. Contamination of the soil and water is a worry, particularly for crops and plants that depend on rainfall for sustenance.

Rainfall Redistribution: By artificially creating rainfall in one place, nearby regions may be deprived of their normal precipitation, which could lead to drought-like conditions in other places.

High Cost: Cloud seeding is an expensive endeavor that demands specialized aircraft, meteorological knowledge, and exact timing.

Final thoughts

A technological way to lessen the immediate effects of air pollution in the NCR, particularly during peak months, is by cloud seeding.

It should, however, be a component of a multifaceted strategy that includes public health initiatives, green infrastructure, and emissions management.