Cloud-Seeding in Delhi: A Short-Lived Solution to Pollution?

The Delhi government's attempt at cloud-seeding aims to reduce pollution but faces criticism for being a temporary measure that fails to address underlying causes. Environmentalists suggest focusing on emission reduction and civic awareness for long-term impact. Trials have been delayed due to weather conditions.

The Delhi government's recent cloud-seeding trial, conducted in collaboration with IIT-Kanpur, has sparked debate among environmentalists. While the trial aims to reduce pollution via artificial rain, experts argue it only offers a short-term respite.

Environmentalists like Vimlendu Jha and Jyoti Pande Lavakare criticize the approach, likening it to previous short-term measures that fail to tackle core pollution issues. They emphasize the importance of addressing emissions and civic awareness for sustainable results.

The trial over Burari faced setbacks due to inadequate atmospheric conditions, with moisture levels too low for effective cloud-seeding. Despite initial approvals for multiple trials, the program has experienced delays due to seasonal weather challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)