Source: Watchers.news
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 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….