Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced on Tuesday that a cloud-seeding operation aimed at inducing artificial rainfall in the national capital is expected to occur today, subject to suitable weather conditions in Kanpur, where the aircraft assigned for the task is presently based.
In an interview with ediapersons, Sirsa noted that the current visibility in Kanpur stands at approximately 2,000 metres, whereas a minimum of 5,000 metres is necessary for the safe takeoff of the aircraft. He further mentioned that, should conditions improve and the aircraft manage to depart successfully, cloud seeding over Delhi could take place between 12:30 pm and 1 pm.
Sirsa stated, "Regarding cloud seeding, as soon as the weather clears up in Kanpur, our aircraft will take off from there today. If it succeeds in taking off from there, cloud seeding will be done in Delhi today. Through that cloud seeding, there will be rainfall in Delhi. Right now, the visibility in Kanpur is 2000 metres. Visibility of 5000 metres is being awaited there. Visibility is low in Delhi too. We hope that this will be possible by 12.30-1 pm. Then it will take off from there, do cloud seeding here and return."
Following Diwali celebrations, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has continued to register in the 'poor' and 'very poor' categories across multiple areas, even as Stage 2 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) remains enforced.
Cloud seeding is a technique for artificially inducing rainfall by dispersing specific particles, such as silver iodide crystals or salt-based compounds, into clouds containing moisture. These particles are released from aircraft and help coalesce smaller cloud droplets into larger raindrops, which may then fall as precipitation.
According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi's AQI was recorded at 306 as of 8 am on Tuesday, falling under the 'very poor' category. At the same time of 8 am, the AQI readings in various locations were as follows: Anand Vihar at 321, RK Puram at 320, Siri Fort at 350, Bawana at 336, Burari Crossing at 326, Dwarka Sector 8 at 316, Mundka at 324, Narela at 303, and Punjabi Bagh at 323.
Last week, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta characterised cloud seeding as an essential measure for the national capital and a groundbreaking initiative in tackling the city's ongoing environmental issues.
Speaking to media person, Rekha Gupta said, "Cloud seeding is a necessity for Delhi and is the first experiment of its kind. We want to try it in Delhi to see if it can help us control this very serious environmental problem." She added, "So the blessings of the people of Delhi are with the government, and we feel that this will be a successful experiment, and in the future, we will be able to overcome these environmental problems."
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