Delhi Conducts Cloud Seeding: A New Approach to Combat Pollution

The Delhi government, in a bid to mitigate pollution, embarked on its maiden cloud seeding operation, aiming to spark artificial rainfall across the city. The initiative, spearheaded by Environment Minister Rekha Gupta, saw IIT-Kanpur conducting trials with a Cessna aircraft, dispersing salt-based and silver iodide flares to induce precipitation.

Commencing from the Meerut side, the operation faced slight delays due to poor visibility, subsequently covering areas such as Khekra, Burari, North Karol Bagh, and Mayur Vihar. The aircraft, utilizing eight flares weighing 2 to 2.5 kilograms each, released these into clouds, targeting humidity levels of 15-20% to generate rainfall.

Sirsa, in a statement, confirmed the successful second trial and announced a third on the same day, as part of a broader plan comprising multiple sorties to explore artificial rainfall. With pollution levels classified as 'very poor', this could be a pivotal solution for Delhi if success is achieved in upcoming sessions.