‘Cloud seeding’, which creates ice crystals by spraying silver iodide particles
Scientists say, “Artificial rainfall is a temporary solution… we must make careful decisions.”
Days after the skies of India’s capital New Delhi were covered in toxic smog, the BBC reported on the 13th that India’s environment ministry is considering artificial rainfall through ‘cloud seeding’ to reduce air pollution levels. local time) reported.
The realization of the project depends on receiving approval from India’s Supreme Court and various federal ministries. If the project is approved, it could be implemented later this month, depending on weather conditions.
This is not the first time cloud seeding has been proposed as a solution to air pollution in New Delhi. The reason it has not been implemented is because it is a complex and expensive task whose effectiveness has not been fully proven, and more research is needed to determine its impact on the environment.
Cloud seeding is a technology that increases the rate at which moisture in clouds condenses, causing rain. It is done by spraying particles such as silver iodide or silver chloride using an airplane or ground-based spray device.
The sprayed particles act as ice nucleation particles, allowing ice crystals to form in the cloud. Afterwards, the moisture in the clouds sticks to the ice crystals and condenses.
The artificial rainfall project was designed by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). The project will be carried out over approximately 300㎢ between the 20th and 21st.
The BBC reported that Manindra Agrawal, the scientist leading the project, said: “We do not expect there to be enough clouds to completely cover Delhi on that date, but it will be able to reduce air pollution to some extent.”
“There needs to be adequate moisture and humidity in the clouds for ice cores to form,” said Polash Mukherjee, an independent researcher on air quality and health. “Secondary factors such as wind speed are also important.”
However, this artificial rainfall is unlikely to completely solve the air pollution problem. “Artificial rainfall can immediately lower air pollution levels, but within 48 to 72 hours, the levels rise again,” Mukherjee said. “Cloud seeding is a stopgap solution.”
He continued, “Artificial rainfall projects should not be decided on an impromptu basis,” and added, “We must form a team of experts from various fields, including meteorologists, air quality policy experts, and epidemiologists, and conduct thorough verification.”
Meanwhile, due to the toxic smog that has covered New Delhi, government authorities are trying to come up with measures to resolve air pollution, such as temporarily closing schools and stopping work at polluting construction sites.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.