Cloud seeding proposed as a solution for the world’s most polluted city, New Delhi, India
New Delhi reached an air quality index (AQI) of 495 at 10:54 LT (05:24 UTC) on Friday, November 22, 2024, the highest recorded so far this season. Earlier this week, Delhi’s AQI reached 493, placing it among the most polluted cities globally on November 18, 2024. PM 2.5 levels hit 401.1 µg/m3 exceeding the safe limits of the World Health Organisation (WHO) over 27 times.
New Delhi, India at 06:30 UTC on November 18, 2024. Image credit: EUMETSAT, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
- Delhi ranked as the world’s most polluted city on November 22 with an AQI of 495, while neighboring Loni recorded 491.
- Toxic air has caused respiratory illnesses and flight delays, prompting emergency actions under Stage IV of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).
- Developed in 1946, cloud seeding was controversially weaponized during the Vietnam War, leading to a UN ban on hostile environmental modification.
- Efforts like the National Clean Air Programme (2019) have seen limited success due to rapid economic and population growth.
Delhi fell into the “hazardous” category on November 22, followed by Lahore, Pakistan, with an AQI of 394, according to IQAir. Delhi’s neighboring region of Loni, Ghaziabad, recorded an AQI of 491, with PM2.5 levels reaching alarming figures, as reported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB).
Areas like Anand Vihar and Mundka had AQIs over 400, falling into the severe range and posing serious health risks. Although the city saw some relief from the “severe plus” category earlier in the week, experts warn that pollution episodes throughout the winter months are likely to continue.
The Delhi government has shown renewed interest in cloud seeding as a temporary solution to alleviate hazardous air quality during winter.
Gopal Rai, Member of Delhi Legislative Assembly, appealed to the Central Government to approve and facilitate implementing cloud seeding operations on November 20. The proposal comes after discussions with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur.
IIT Kanpur proposed a project costing up to Rs. 1 00 000 per km2 (Rs. 2 59 000 per mi2) to create artificial rain over the city. The operations depend on favorable atmospheric conditions, including sufficient moisture in the air.
What is cloud seeding?
Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that disperses substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice into the atmosphere. These particles act as nuclei for water droplets to form facilitating precipitation in the form of rain or snow. The method can be executed using aircraft, rockets, or ground-based generators.
Cloud seeding aims to “wash away” airborne pollutants when applied to combat air pollution including particulate matter from the atmosphere.
Effectiveness and challenges of cloud seeding
Cloud seeding has been used worldwide to address issues like drought and smog, but its effectiveness in reducing air pollution is still debated. While studies show it can slightly increase rainfall, its impact on long-term air quality is limited.
Cloud seeding depends on specific weather conditions, like moisture-filled clouds, which are usually common during Delhi’s cold and dry winters and raises environmental concerns due to the use of chemicals like silver iodide.
While studies suggest minimal immediate ecological risks, the long-term effects remain unclear and scientists stress that cloud seeding should not distract from sustainable solutions like stricter emissions regulations and better public transport systems to control pollution.
Continuous pollution crisis in Delhi
Delhi has struggled with severe air pollution mainly during winters. Factors like stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana, vehicle emissions, industrial waste, and construction dust worsen the issue.
Delhi’s toxic air has caused serious issues, including flight delays at Indira Gandhi International Airport and a rise in respiratory illnesses among residents. To address this the Delhi government has implemented Stage IV of the GRAP. The plan includes banning construction, enforcing odd-even vehicle rules, and increasing public transport services.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) evaluated sector-specific actions implemented by state governments, including Delhi, Haryana, and Punjab, to tackle air pollution. The commission outlined several directives during the 18th meeting of the Sub-Committee on Safeguarding and Enforcement on November 21, 2024.
The directives included resolving discrepancies in cases where Environmental Compensation (EC) was imposed but not followed by the First Information Report (FIR) under Section 223 of the Bio-Nature Sustainability (BNS Act) of 2023, with a particular focus on Punjab and Haryana.
Historical use of cloud seeding
Cloud seeding is used in countries like China and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to improve air quality and address droughts. China successfully used it during the 2008 Beijing Olympics to reduce smog and ensure clear skies. The UAE also frequently uses cloud seeding to increase rainfall in its dry regions.
Cloud seeding has a controversial history. It was developed in 1946 by Vincent Schaefer and Bernard Vonnegut and was later used during the Vietnam War in Operation Popeye.
The US military employed it to extend monsoon rains over the Ho Chi Minh Trail, disrupting enemy logistics. The use of weather manipulation as a weapon led to the 1976 United Nations Convention banning military or hostile use of environmental modification techniques.
The method requires useful resources and favorable weather conditions making it challenging to implement in Delhi. Urban pollution is a complex issue often debated and requires long-term solutions. Efforts to tackle air pollution in India have been ongoing since 1984 when M.C. Mehta, an Attorney in India, filed a public interest litigation petition.
Rapid economic and population growth has outpaced these measures while some progress has been made. This challenge is not unique to Delhi as Los Angeles, despite launching its air pollution control program in 1947, remains one of the most polluted cities in the U.S. for PM2.5 and ozone.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has revisited the issue by asking the government to identify the main causes of air pollution in Delhi.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) introduced in 2019 with its collaborative approach, monitoring systems, set targets, emergency measures, and inclusion of international organizations, has had limited success so far.
References:
1 Delhi’s air quality ‘very poor’, minimum temperature 11.3 deg C – The Hindu – November 22, 2024
2 Is Delhi becoming an uninhabitable city? | Explained – The Hindu – November 22, 2024
3 Clearing the air on Delhi’s pollution crisis – The Hindu – November 21, 2024
4 Live most polluted major city ranking – IQAir – November 22, 2024
5 Delhi Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index (AQI) – CPCB – November 22, 2024
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
Geo-Engineering the weather has been going on for decades. They are creating chaotic climate conditions to sell their Climate Change Measures. Psychopaths are at the helm.