{"id":70764,"date":"2025-10-29T10:54:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T05:24:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=70764"},"modified":"2025-10-29T10:54:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T05:24:12","slug":"delhis-cloud-seeding-trials-can-artificial-rain-help-reduce-air-pollution","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/delhis-cloud-seeding-trials-can-artificial-rain-help-reduce-air-pollution\/","title":{"rendered":"Delhi\u2019s Cloud-Seeding Trials: Can Artificial Rain Help Reduce Air Pollution?"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2><b>Cloud Seeding Latest News<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Amid worsening air quality, the Delhi government, in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, conducted two cloud-seeding trials to induce artificial rain, though only negligible rainfall was recorded \u2014 0.1 mm in Noida and 0.2 mm in Greater Noida.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to experts, the weak results were due to low cloud moisture (15\u201320% humidity), but more sorties are planned as better moisture conditions are expected in coming days.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Cloud Seeding<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique used to enhance rainfall by introducing \u201cseed\u201d particles into suitable clouds.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The method was first tested globally in the 1940s.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The process involves dispersing <\/span><b>cloud condensation nuclei (CCN)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 particles that attract water vapour \u2014 or ice nuclei particles, which promote ice crystal formation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In natural conditions, water vapour condenses around airborne particles to form droplets that grow, collide, and eventually fall as rain.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In cloud seeding, <\/span><b>artificial nuclei such as silver iodide or salt particles<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are added to accelerate this process.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ice crystals grow faster, combine, and become heavy enough to precipitate, increasing the likelihood of rainfall.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Process of Cloud Seeding<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To artificially induce rain, salts such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, or sodium chloride are used as \u201cseeds\u201d to create additional nuclei for cloud droplet formation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These particles are dispersed into clouds using aircraft, ground-based generators, rockets, drones, or flares.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The method chosen depends on cloud type and conditions.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Conditions Needed for Successful Cloud Seeding<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cloud seeding can only be done when suitable clouds with adequate depth and moisture are present.\u00a0<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As per the experts, cloud seeding needs <\/span><b>humidity above 50%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>cool temperatures<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>existing cloud formation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The process requires a sufficient number of droplets inside clouds to enlarge through condensation and eventually fall as rain. It cannot be done under clear skies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Delhi\u2019s winters, cloud formation depends on <\/span><b>western disturbances<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 weather systems originating from the Caspian or Mediterranean Sea that bring non-monsoonal rain to northwest India.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, these clouds often lack the required depth and liquid water content for effective seeding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts emphasize that before any attempt, it\u2019s essential to assess cloud height, moisture levels, and liquid water content using specialized monitoring tools to determine if conditions are right for seeding.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Environmental concerns<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Silver iodide (AgI), used in seeding, is insoluble but toxic in large quantities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Even small amounts (0.2 micrograms) can harm fish and microorganisms, though iodine in AgI is not considered toxic.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Why Cloud-Seeding Trials in Delhi Failed to Induce Rain<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A Delhi government report cited <\/span><b>low atmospheric moisture<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (10\u201315%), as predicted by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), as the main reason the cloud-seeding trials did not produce significant rainfall.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts explained that although there was good cloud cover, moisture levels were too low to trigger rain.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They added that the team gained technical experience from the trials and would conduct a third round once weather conditions improve.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Limited Rainfall and Technical Challenges<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts noted that while Delhi plans more trials, <\/span><b>cloud seeding in convective, low-level clouds remains highly uncertain<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Success depends on timing, cloud type, altitude, and adequate moisture, conditions that are rarely met over the plains.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cloud bases were around 10,000 feet, which meteorologists said was too high for effective seeding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If clouds descend below 5,000 feet, chances of rainfall improve.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) notes that the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">biggest challenge is quantifying seeding\u2019s actual impact on precipitation<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How Cloud Seeding Helped Reduce Pollution<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite limited rainfall \u2014 0.1 mm in Noida and 0.2 mm in Greater Noida \u2014 the trials had a measurable impact on air quality.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to the Delhi government\u2019s report, levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) dropped after cloud seeding:<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PM2.5 fell from 221\u2013230 to 203\u2013207 across Mayur Vihar, Karol Bagh, and Burari.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">PM10 reduced from 206\u2013209 to 163\u2013177 in the same areas.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The report concluded that while rainfall was minimal, pollution reduction was evident, offering valuable insights for future cloud-seeding efforts.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Air Quality and Broader Solutions<\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Air quality analysts cautioned that cloud seeding does not address emissions at their source.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts point out that such measures \u2014 like smog towers or anti-smog guns \u2014 offer only short-term benefits.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sustainable improvement requires coordinated action across states, targeting emissions from transport, power plants, and construction, under an airshed-based approach.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Delhi\u2019s cloud-seeding trials provided valuable learning but limited rain, highlighting the complex science, environmental risks, and logistical constraints of such interventions.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Experts agree that while cloud seeding can supplement pollution control efforts, lasting air quality improvement demands systemic emission reductions and regional cooperation.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Source:<\/b> <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/cities\/Delhi\/delhi-cloud-seeding-artificial-rain-updates-october-28-2025\/article70211599.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">TH<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/indianexpress.com\/article\/explained\/low-afforestation-survival-mumbai-sc-bmc-10332248\/?ref=infinite\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">IE<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hindustantimes.com\/india-news\/why-cloud-seeding-trials-didnt-work-in-delhi-iit-kanpur-director-explains-101761668381436.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">HT<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Delhi and IIT-Kanpur conducted cloud-seeding trials to induce artificial rain and curb pollution. Learn why the trials failed and how they still helped improve air quality.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":54846,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[1513,60,22,59],"class_list":{"0":"post-70764","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-upsc-mains-current-affairs","8":"tag-cloud-seeding","9":"tag-mains-articles","10":"tag-upsc-current-affairs","11":"tag-upsc-mains-current-affairs","12":"no-featured-image-padding"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70764","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=70764"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/70764\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54846"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=70764"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=70764"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=70764"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}