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The Hindu
a day ago
- Climate
- The Hindu
Delhi Cloud Seeding Project 2025: Artificial Rain to Combat Air Pollution
Inside Delhi's Cloud Seeding Mission to Clean the Air Delhi had planned India's first artificial rain trial, from July 4 to 11. But just days before launch, it was postponed. The irony? The monsoon clouds weren't good enough for rain .So, what exactly was the plan? And why does it matter? Under a ₹3.21 crore project, the Delhi Environment Department, along with IIT Kanpur, wanted to seed clouds using a modified Cessna 206-H aircraft. The idea? To wash out harmful pollutants, especially PM2.5 and PM10 from the air. Now, you may ask what these are. PM2.5 and PM10 are microscopic particles, 2.5 and 10 micrometres wide, small enough to reach deep into your lungs and bloodstream. They're major contributors to Delhi's toxic air. Here's how cloud seeding works. The aircraft releases a mix of silver iodide, iodised salt, and rock salt into the clouds, specifically nimbostratus clouds at altitudes between 500 and 6,000 metres. This chemical blend triggers raindrop formation and that rain helps clean the air below. Each flight lasts about 90 minutes and covers around 100 square kilometres. The target zones? Some of Delhi's most polluted areas, Rohini, Bawana, Alipur, Burari, and even parts of western UP like Loni and Baghpat .The project has approvals from the India Meteorological Department and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. Flights will avoid VIP zones and restricted airspace, and follow all aviation rules. Five flights are planned. After each, pollution levels will be measured to track the impact. This trial is part of Delhi's 2025–26 Environment Action Plan, which includes, AI-based pollution enforcement, anti-smog guns, real-time dust monitoring and cleaner public transport. Cloud seeding has been used in various countries, with mixed but measurable outcomes. In the United States, especially in Colorado and Nevada, cloud seeding has been practised for decades to boost snowfall and support water supplies. Independent evaluations show a 5–15% increase in precipitation a modest but valuable gain, particularly in drought-prone regions. China has used cloud seeding extensively, not just for drought management, but also to clear skies ahead of major events, like the 2008 Beijing Olympics. While the government reports success, many international experts say it's difficult to quantify exactly how effective these efforts are, due to the complex nature of weather systems. The United Arab Emirates runs one of the world's most aggressive and advanced cloud seeding programs, conducting over 200 missions annually. Recent studies suggest an average increase of about 22–30% in rainfall, with some localised areas seeing even more. However, following record floods in April 2024, the UAE's heaviest rainfall in 75 years, some speculated that cloud seeding was to blame. In Russia, cloud seeding is typically used for short-term, ceremonial purposes, like ensuring clear skies for parades and public events. Officials say it's been consistently effective for these limited applications. So, why the delay in Delhi? Despite active monsoon conditions, the current clouds don't have the right moisture content for seeding .The new window? August 30 to September 10, but again, it all depends on the weather. If it works, this could be a game-changer in how Indian cities fight air pollution. But for now, all eyes are on the skies. Presentation & Editing: Vishnoo Jotshi Video: Aniket Singh Chauhan
Hindustan Times
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
Set cameras for aged vehicles immediately: Delhi minister
Environment minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa on Friday directed the immediate installation of Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at all border points to identify end-of-life vehicles, days after he announced the government's plans to crack down on such vehicles. The direction came at a high-level review meeting to finalise a comprehensive Environment Action Plan (2025-26), which will include a series of technology-based, high-impact interventions aimed at curbing air pollution and controlling dust emissions, officials said. 'The minister directed the immediate installation of ANPR cameras, which will automatically capture incoming vehicle numbers, cross-check them against the VAHAN database, and identify whether the vehicle is legally permitted to enter,' said the Delhi government in a statement on Friday, adding vehicle registration details will automatically be verified by the cameras and if found to be overage, an alert message will be played through an LED display system. 'LED screens at border points will also flash vehicle numbers and simultaneously trigger 'wrong entry' alert SMS and WhatsApp messages to the owner,' the statement added. HT on Thursday reported the government's plans to install such cameras and extract data from the Centre's VAHAN database to identify end-of-life vehicles entering the Capital from across the country. 'We want to target pollution at its very originating point,' Sirsa said on Friday. On the new measures, he said, 'This is more than enforcement—this is about protecting the health of our people. Through data, automation, and inter-state communication, we are creating a pollution shield around Delhi.' he said. Proactive alerts will also be sent to vehicles approaching the end-of-life threshold, with reminder messages to improve compliance, an official, part of the meeting said, stating the transport department has been directed to prepare a 12-month SMS notification calendar for sustained interstate outreach. The minister also reviewed timelines and targets across key areas, including vehicular pollution control, air quality improvement, mass tree plantation, solid and C&D waste management, and the deployment of water sprinkler trucks and anti-smog guns starting June 1, officials said.
