Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
New Delhi, Oct 29 (IANS) The cloud-seeding operation planned for Wednesday in Delhi has been put on hold due to insufficient moisture in the clouds, IIT Kanpur said. It was also informed that since this process is highly dependent on favorable atmospheric conditions, another attempt to create artificial rain will be made soon.
“Although rain could not occur yesterday as the humidity level was around 15 to 20 per cent, the test provided valuable insights. Monitoring stations installed across Delhi captured real-time changes in particulate matter and humidity levels,” IIT Kanpur said in an official statement regarding today’s event cancellation.
“The data show measurable reductions of 6 to 10 percent in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, indicating that even under limited moisture conditions, cloud seeding can contribute to improved air quality,” it said.
The prestigious institute further said that such observations strengthen our planning for future operations and help us better identify the conditions for maximum benefits.
“IIT Kanpur is committed to pursuing this research with a clear focus on improving scientific discipline and environmental outcomes for the National Capital Region,” it said.
Meanwhile, the much-hyped effort to bring artificial rain through cloud seeding in parts of Delhi proved to be “not completely successful”. According to Manindra Agarwal, director of IIT Kanpur, the failure was mainly caused by insufficient moisture in the clouds, emphasizing that cloud seeding is not a magic bullet for Delhi’s pollution crisis, but an emergency, last resort.
Speaking exclusively to NDTV last night, Agarwal, whose institute is leading the expedition along with the Delhi government for this pilot project, said the team is planning to make fresh attempts in the next few days, hoping for better results.
Specifically, the IIT Kanpur-led team used 20 percent silver iodide and the rest a mixture of rock salt and common salt to seed the clouds. A total of 14 flares were fired on Tuesday.
When asked whether cloud seeding could serve as a long-term solution to Delhi’s persistent air pollution, Aggarwal was candid in his response.
“This is an SOS solution, which can be attempted only in times of crisis when pollution levels are very high. This is not a permanent solution. The permanent solution, of course, is to control the sources of pollution. Ideally, we should reach a stage where there is no need for cloud seeding as the pollution itself has abated. Till then, this is one of the tools available to provide temporary relief,” he said.
–IANS
JK/Mr.