TV
Delhi is grappling with poor air quality and the problem usually aggravates during the winter. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change had received representations from Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi to consider cloud seeding as an emergency measure to improve air quality in Delhi during the winter months.
Similarly, opinions were sought from experts of India Meteorological Department (IMD), Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining areas (CAQM) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) regarding feasibility of cloud seeding for artificial rainfall in the Delhi during winter.
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What Experts Said?
Winter clouds in the region are primarily formed due to Western Disturbances (WD), which are short-lived and travel from West to East. When low clouds form due to WDs, they typically result in natural rainfall over Northwest India, eliminating the need for cloud seeding.
High- altitude clouds, which are typically at elevations above 5-6 km, cannot be seeded due to aircraft limitations. Furthermore, effective cloud seeding requires specific cloud conditions, which are generally absent during Delhi’s cold and dry winter months.
Even if suitable clouds were present, the dry atmospheric layer beneath them could cause any developed precipitation to evaporate before reaching the surface. Additionally, concerns about the uncertainties, efficacy, and, potential adverse effects of cloud seeding chemicals remain.
Factors Responsible For Pollution
Air pollution in Delhi and NCR is a collective result of multiple factors including high level of anthropogenic activities in the high-density populated areas in NCR, arising from various sectors-vehicular pollution, industrial pollution, dust from construction and demolition activities, road and open areas dust, biomass burning, municipal solid waste burning, fires in landfills and air pollution from dispersed sources, etc.
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During post-monsoon and winter months, lower temperature, lower mixing heights, inversion conditions and stagnant winds lead to trapping of the pollutants resulting in high pollution in the region.
