D.O. letters dated 30.08.2024 10.10.2024, 23.10.2024 and 19.11.2024 were received from Shri Gopal Rai, Hon’ble Minister Environment, Forest and Wildlife, Government of the National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) in this Ministry regarding the consideration of cloud seeding as an emergency measure to improve air quality in Delhi during the winter months.

In this regard, expert opinions were sought from India Meteorological Department (IMD), Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining areas (CAQM) and Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) regarding feasibility of cloud seeding for artificial rainfall in the Delhi during winter. Expert opinion received is as below:

Winter clouds in the region are primarily formed due to Western Disturbances (WD), which are short-lived and travel from West to East. When low clouds form due to WDs, they typically result in natural rainfall over Northwest India, eliminating the need for cloud seeding. High- altitude clouds, which are typically at elevations above 5-6 km, cannot be seeded due to aircraft limitations. Furthermore, effective cloud seeding requires specific cloud conditions, which are generally absent during Delhi’s cold and dry winter months. Even if suitable clouds were present, the dry atmospheric layer beneath them could cause any developed precipitation to evaporate before reaching the surface. Additionally, concerns about the uncertainties, efficacy, and, potential adverse effects of cloud seeding chemicals remain.

The aforesaid expert opinion was shared with Delhi Govt. vide this Ministry’s D.O. letter dated 30.10.2024. Further, Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) was requested, vide D.O. letter dated 23.09.2024, to submit a more detailed and specific proposal, which can be evaluated upon receipt.

A meeting with concerned stakeholders and experts was convened by CAQM on 27.11.2024 for exploring the feasibility of the cloud seeding to tackle the air pollution crisis in Delhi.

Air pollution in Delhi and NCR is a collective result of multiple factors including high level of anthropogenic activities in the high-density populated areas in NCR, arising from various sectors viz. Vehicular Pollution, Industrial Pollution, Dust from Construction and Demolition activities, Road and Open Areas Dust, Biomass Burning, Municipal Solid Waste burning, Fires in Landfills and air pollution from dispersed sources, etc. During post-monsoon and winter months, lower temperature, lower mixing heights, inversion conditions and stagnant winds lead to trapping of the pollutants resulting in high pollution in the region. This is further aggravated due to the emissions from episodic events like stubble burning, firecrackers etc.

Various measures have been taken by the Government to reduce Air Pollution in Delhi during the ongoing Winter Season, which are provided in Annexure I.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri. Kirti Vardhan Singh in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.

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