FROM A POLICY AND PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE, ‘CLOUD SEEDING’ IS A BOLD INITIATIVE

FROM A POLICY AND PRACTICAL PERSPECTIVE, ‘CLOUD SEEDING’ IS A BOLD INITIATIVE

1-NOV-ENG 3

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

DELHI------------------------The national capital, Delhi, is once again shrouded in winter haze. Amid polluting air, diminishing visibility, and burning eyes, this time, hopes were pinned on science, not the sky. To control pollution, the Delhi government experimented with artificial rain, or 'cloud seeding,' but the experiment failed to meet expectations. Scientifically, it was a failed attempt, but from a policy and practical perspective, it can be considered a bold initiative.

On Tuesday, a Cessna aircraft took off from the IIT Kanpur airstrip and then from the Meerut airstrip. The aircraft released hygroscopic salt flares for cloud seeding over several areas of Delhi, including Khekra, Burari, North Karol Bagh, Mayur Vihar, Sadakpur, and Bhojpur. The aircraft aimed to induce artificial rain to dislodge dust and pollution particles from the atmosphere, thereby clearing the capital's air.

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed the effort, stating that it was a scientific experiment to test the possibility of rain at different humidity levels. However, the humidity level in the atmosphere at the time of the experiment was relatively low. This is why the condensation process failed, and no water droplets fell from the sky.

The scientific basis of this experiment, led by a team from IIT Kanpur, is simple: if sufficient moisture is present in the clouds and condensing particles like tiny salts or silver iodide are released into them, they can attract water vapor and form water droplets. When these droplets become heavy enough, they fall to the ground as rain. This process is called cloud seeding, but scientific success depends not only on technology but also on circumstances. Professor Manindra Agarwal of IIT Kanpur, who led the project, stated clearly that if rain is the measure of success, then this effort failed. But failure is also part of the experiment. They said that the amount of moisture in Delhi's sky was extremely low on Tuesday. As a result, the condensation process could not begin. During Delhi's winter season, the air becomes cold and dry due to the layer of smog and pollution. This is the season when humidity levels in the air drop and stagnation increases. Consequently, the humidity conditions required for a process like cloud seeding are not met. This means that even though the timing of the experiment was scientifically chosen, nature did not cooperate.

The Delhi government claims that some reduction in pollution particles, especially particulate matter (PM 2.5 and PM 10), was observed in the areas where cloud seeding was conducted. However, real-time data from the Central Pollution Control Board on October 28th showed no significant difference. This means that while there may have been a slight improvement in air cleanliness, it was not measurable.

This discrepancy shows that the success of technological experiments is determined not only by the machines but also by broader environmental conditions. In Delhi's case, air stagnation, stubble burning from neighboring states, and vehicle emissions are all factors that cannot be controlled by artificial rain alone. This experiment in Delhi is historic. It was the first cloud seeding effort conducted in India using indigenous technology. Previous attempts at drought control or water conservation, often relying on foreign companies and external equipment, were made. This experiment was conducted using entirely indigenous technology and a team of Indian scientists. Research on this topic has been ongoing at IIT Kanpur for the past seven to eight years. A team of about ten scientists is working on this technology. The government allocated a budget of ₹32.1 million for this project. While this amount may seem symbolic, it clearly signals that the government is moving towards a science-based environmental policy.

Many countries around the world have already incorporated cloud seeding as a part of their environmental and agricultural management.

China is at the forefront of this technology, where weather modification programs are conducted at the state level. Using drones, aircraft, and artificial intelligence, China has artificially created rain or snowfall over millions of square kilometers. This same technology was used to clean the city's air during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. China aims to cover 5.5 million square kilometers by 2025.

The United Arab Emirates has also made cloud seeding a regular policy to increase rainfall in desert climates. During the summer, dozens of aircraft spray salt and chemicals to improve groundwater levels through rainfall. This technology has been adopted for agricultural purposes in drought-stricken western states of the United States. Saudi Arabia recently began using it to restore soil fertility and revive degraded areas. However, Israel's example demonstrates that science has its limits. After experimenting with this technology since the 1960s, Israel conducted a large-scale cloud seeding program from 2014 to 2021. After seven years of study, it was found that this process was not producing any significant increase in rainfall. The costs were high and the results were negligible, so it was suspended.

Every winter in Delhi brings an emergency. When pollution levels reach critical levels, When pollution levels reach this critical level, both governments and citizens are left gasping for breath. In such a situation, technologies like cloud seeding offer a ray of hope. But the question is, can technology alone solve the pollution problem? The answer is no. Science can provide relief, but not a solution. The root causes of pollution still lie in land and policies, such as stubble burning, vehicle emissions, construction activities, and stagnant air during winter. Unless structural reforms are implemented, experiments like artificial rain will not provide more than temporary relief. The biggest challenge with cloud seeding is its uncertainty. Humidity levels, cloud height, wind direction, and temperature all influence success. Furthermore, questions arise about its cost-effectiveness. Professor Agarwal of IIT Kanpur himself admits that this is a dilemma between success and failure. Experiments are useful as long as they yield new findings.

Furthermore, this process also raises ethical and environmental questions in the context of pollution control. Shouldn't we assess the long-term effects of chemicals before releasing them into the atmosphere? The impact of substances like silver iodide or salt on the atmosphere and water sources is not yet conclusively clear. This move by the Delhi government, while having limited success, is a sign that the government is not shying away from experimentation. The IIT Kanpur team has clarified that the experiment will be repeated as soon as the humidity levels in the atmosphere are suitable. This means that Delhi may see more such efforts in the coming months, but more importantly, it is important to understand that cloud seeding should not be the primary strategy for pollution control, but rather a complementary measure. Real improvement will only be possible if concrete steps are taken, such as controlling emission sources, improving stubble management, promoting public transport, and monitoring industries.

Pollution control is not just a matter of scientific experiments; it is a combined effort of governance, administration, and public participation. Science can show the way, but decisions depend on political will. Delhi's example shows that modern technologies will be meaningful only when they are part of a long-term policy. Processes like cloud seeding may provide immediate relief, such as reducing dust around hospitals or improving visibility, but they are not a permanent solution. Understanding this, policymakers must ensure that, alongside technological experiments, equal emphasis is placed on environmental education, strict laws, and citizen cooperation.

Overall, this first attempt at artificial rain in Delhi may have failed, but this failure is not a disappointment. It marks the beginning of a path where science and governance are working together to find a way to address the environmental crisis. Real success will come when the lessons learned from these experiments are incorporated into future policies. Today, Delhi's skies may be shrouded in smoke, but even within that haze, there is a glimmer of possibility: perhaps one day, this city will become breathable again. The beauty of science is that it finds a way forward even in setbacks.