Winters have become crisis time for most of India due to hazardous pollution levels. It is not just Delhi that is in the grip of this annual menace, NASA’s latest satellite images reveal a dense haze of pollution over Delhi as well as other parts of India, especially northern states like Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
To address this issue, the Delhi government has taken emergency measures like implementation of artificial rain or artificial precipitation to mitigate pollution.
Delhi’s Environment Minister, Gopal Rai, called for an emergency meeting to discuss this, with experts and scientists, including those from IIT Kanpur. They are planning to induce artificial rain on November 20 and 21 to help clear the air.
Notably, artificial rain has been used in the past in states like Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka during severe pollution episodes when there are suitable weather conditions, like the presence of clouds and conducive atmospheric conditions. The method involves cloud seeding to induce rain.
Moreover, other countries like the United States, China, Australia, and the UAE have also successfully used artificial rain or cloud seeding to address severe pollution issues in their regions. It has proven to be beneficial in large-scale areas with extensive pollution concerns.
The Supreme Court of India has imposed a ban on the use of app-based taxi services in Delhi that are not registered in the city. This decision has raised concerns about the availability of taxis in the city. The SC has also urged the government to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of children who are also affected by the pollution.
The Delhi government has issued a public notice, stating that all schools in Delhi will remain closed until November 18. Additionally, the government has mandated the introduction of the odd-even traffic rule to control vehicular pollution, where vehicles with odd and even-numbered license plates are allowed on the road on alternate days. These measures aim to alleviate the pollution crisis and improve air quality.
Overall, the pollution problem in Delhi and other parts of India is a severe and complex issue that requires concerted efforts from the government, scientists, and the public to find sustainable solutions and alleviate its impact on health and the environment.
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