Delhi air pollution: AAP government seeks immediate approval for artificial rain in the national capital

As the air quality in Delhi continues to remain at toxic levels, the Atishi-led Aam Aadmi Party government in the national capital has sought approval for artificial rains to bring down pollution levels. Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai on Tuesday sought an emergency meeting with Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav for cloud seeding to induce artificial rains that could reduce the hazardous levels of air pollution.

Implement GRAP across North India

Rai further urged that the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) should be implemented across North India to combat air pollution while accusing governments in neighbouring states of doing "politics" over the matter.

When Delhi government proposed artificial rain the past

This is not the first time the AAP government in Delhi has proposed artificial rains as a temporary fix to the air pollution problem in the national capital.

In 2023, too, the government, then led by AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal, had said that it would explore the option of inducing artificial rains to improve air quality. However, this was not followed up after air quality started improving due to favourable climatic conditions.

What is artificial rain and how does it work

Artificial rain, also known as cloud seeding, uses chemicals such as dry ice, potassium iodide, and silver iodide to induce rain. These chemicals are released into the air from aircraft, and they help attract water vapour and form clouds.

Suitable clouds are identified based on the location of the target area and the prevailing winds. Cloud seeding produces rain when it doesn't happen naturally or increases the amount of rainfall.

Air emergency in Delhi

The air quality in Delhi has been in the "severe plus" category for the past couple of days, raising alarm bells among citizens and health experts. Terming the situation a "medical emergency," the Delhi government urged institutions to adopt urgent measures to safeguard public health.

Delhi is currently under Stage 4 of GRAP, the strictest level of restrictions to combat air pollution.