Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai has urged Bhupender Yadav, the Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, to convene an urgent meeting with key stakeholders to evaluate the feasibility of cloud seeding as a measure to combat Delhi’s winter air pollution. The letter, written on Friday, emphasizes the need for an immediate assessment of artificial rain to address the city’s deteriorating air quality, particularly around Diwali.
In his communication, Rai stressed the importance of assessing cloud seeding due to its potential to improve air quality during the winter months when pollution levels spike. He requested a meeting with representatives from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Delhi government, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to discuss and obtain necessary clearances for implementing cloud seeding.
News18 had previously reported that the Delhi government is preparing a ‘Winter Action Plan’ aimed at addressing the recurring issue of air pollution in the national capital. Rai indicated that the city government is exploring artificial rain as a potential solution if air quality levels become critically high. The Delhi government had considered cloud seeding as an emergency measure last year and requested a detailed presentation from IIT Kanpur.
In his letter, Rai reminded Yadav of the severe air quality issues that plague Delhi every winter, exacerbated by smog and low wind speeds, which pose serious health risks and environmental damage. He highlighted the concern that this year’s Diwali will coincide with paddy straw burning, likely worsening air quality.
“Cloud seeding is a process involving artificial rain induction to remove pollutants from the atmosphere,” Rai explained. “Given the critical situation in Delhi during November, it is crucial to consider this method’s feasibility.”
Rai will also convene a meeting on September 5 to finalize the Winter Action Plan. During this meeting, various departments will be assigned specific tasks to address the pollution crisis based on the plan’s focus points. Historically, Delhi’s air quality deteriorates to hazardous levels after Diwali, often resulting in school closures and a halt to construction activities.
The Delhi government continues to explore alternative solutions for immediate relief, aiming to improve air quality and mitigate the health impacts of pollution in the city.