The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has expressed concerns over the feasibility of using cloud seeding as an emergency measure to tackle Delhi’s severe air pollution crisis. Responding to a proposal by IIT Kanpur, the CPCB outlined challenges related to the technique’s effectiveness in winter, citing insufficient moisture in the atmosphere and reliance on pre-existing clouds for artificial rainfall.
Cloud seeding, a process in which substances like silver iodide are dispersed into clouds to encourage rainfall, has been considered as a potential solution to combat air pollution, particularly in Delhi, which has been grappling with worsening smog in recent months. The proposal, which was part of a larger initiative by IIT Kanpur, has been met with mixed reactions from both government officials and environmental activists.
In its response to an RTI query filed by activist Amit Gupta, the CPCB stated that the moisture content required for successful cloud seeding is typically high—at least 50%—and northern India’s winter clouds, influenced by Western Disturbances, do not often meet this threshold. As a result, cloud seeding’s success in this region would be limited. The CPCB noted that this dependency on cloud conditions, along with low moisture levels, makes cloud seeding a less reliable option during the winter months when pollution levels peak.
The proposed experiment would cost around ₹3 crore and involve cloud seeding over an area of 100 square kilometers, with five sorties or seeding attempts. The plan was presented by Dr. Manindra Agrawal from IIT Kanpur to the Delhi government on November 8, 2023. The team had previously conducted trials in 2017, which saw mixed results. While the trials led to successful precipitation in six out of seven attempts, the amount and intensity of rainfall could not be controlled, raising doubts about its practical application.
Delhi’s pollution crisis has escalated in recent years, prompting calls for immediate solutions. The Delhi government, particularly Environment Minister Gopal Rai, has written multiple letters to the Union Environment Ministry, urging the Centre to consider cloud seeding as a potential remedy. However, the proposal has not been universally accepted. While some experts see it as a last-ditch effort to mitigate pollution, others caution against its potential long-term effects on the environment and public health.
Environmental activist Verhaen Khanna criticized the cloud seeding proposal, arguing that the focus should instead be on tackling the root causes of pollution, such as vehicle emissions and industrial activity. He also raised concerns about the use of silver iodide in cloud seeding, warning that the chemical could have harmful effects on human health.
On the other hand, Amit Gupta, the activist who filed the RTI, has urged the government to expedite the trials, noting that current pollution control measures have not been effective enough to address the city’s growing smog problem. Gupta emphasized that cloud seeding could offer a valuable opportunity to test new approaches in combating Delhi’s air quality crisis.
As the debate continues, the CPCB’s stance suggests that while cloud seeding may offer a potential solution, its feasibility remains uncertain given the specific atmospheric conditions required for it to work effectively in Delhi’s winter weather. Further discussions and research may be needed before any large-scale trials are conducted.
Sources By Agencies