The rain came to Delhi and nearby places, giving a break from bad air. The government wanted to do “artificial rain” to help with pollution, and they’re still planning it. The government also has ministers checking different areas for pollution. The air quality was terrible, so strict rules (Graded Response Action Plan) are in place.
The rain improved the air, but the government still wants to do artificial rain. Some areas in Delhi got a bit of rain, and the government says they are ready to pay for the artificial rain if it helps with pollution.
There are different air quality levels, and Delhi’s air was terrible. The rain helped a bit, but there’s still work to do. The government also stopped some things, like school breaks and certain types of cars, to help with pollution. They even considered banning app-based taxis.
The government talked about doing artificial rain with the help of scientists from IIT Kanpur. Artificial rain means making rain when it doesn’t happen naturally. They plan to do it using cloud seeding technology. It’s like an artificial way to clean the air.
The government says they are ready to spend money on this, and they hope to start artificial rain by November 20 if everything goes well. They also talk about different areas that got rain and how it helped a bit with the pollution.
The government is trying different things to improve the air, like stopping certain cars, banning firecrackers, and now, considering artificial rain. They hope these efforts will make the air cleaner in Delhi.
The RWFC has forecasted the likelihood of light-intensity intermittent rainfall over several areas in Delhi and NCR, including Sohana, Rewari, Aurangabad, Hodal (Haryana), Bijnaur, Sakoti Tanda, Hastinapur, Chandpur, Daurala, Meerut, Modinagar, Kithor, and Amroha on Friday morning.
Moreover, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported improved the (AQI) in certain areas. For instance, while the average AQI in Delhi’s Anand Vihar was 462 (severe), it improved to the ‘moderate’ category on Friday morning. RK Puram experienced a similar positive trend, where the Air Quality Index (AQI) improved from a severe level of 446 to a satisfactory level.
Despite these improvements, the government remains vigilant in addressing pollution concerns. Delhi’s AQI had escalated to ‘severe’ levels on Thursday, prompting the implementation of stringent measures outlined in the GRAP.
In light of the persistent pollution challenges, the Delhi government is prepared to bear the cost of artificial rain. Officials have directed the chief secretary to communicate the government’s stance to the Supreme Court, indicating a willingness to fund the Phase 1 and Phase 2 pilots for artificial rain, totaling ₹13 Crore. If supported by the Centre, the Delhi government aims to initiate artificial rain by November 20, leveraging cloud seeding technology.
Residents woke up to the positive impact of the recent light rain, which offered relief from the prolonged period of hazardous air quality. The success of these measures, including artificial rain, holds significance in addressing the ongoing air pollution crisis in Delhi-NCR.