As Delhi's air quality continues to plunge to hazardous levels, the proposed solution of artificial rain through cloud seeding is facing intense scrutiny from environmental experts. While the technology promises temporary relief from the capital's choking smog, specialists are sounding alarms about its practical limitations and enormous financial burden.
The Multi-Crore Question: Is Cloud Seeding Worth the Cost?
According to leading environmental researchers from IIT Delhi, creating artificial rainfall over the National Capital Region comes with a staggering price tag. Experts estimate that a single cloud seeding operation could cost anywhere between ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore per square kilometer. For a city-sized area like Delhi, this translates to an expenditure running into hundreds of crores for just temporary relief.
Why Artificial Rain Isn't a Sustainable Solution
Professor Sachchida Nand Tripathi from IIT Delhi's Civil Engineering department emphasizes that cloud seeding should be viewed as an emergency measure rather than a long-term strategy. "The fundamental issue lies in treating the symptom rather than the disease," he explains. "While artificial rain can wash away pollutants temporarily, it does nothing to address the root causes of Delhi's pollution crisis."
The technical challenges are equally daunting. Cloud seeding requires specific atmospheric conditions to be effective, including the presence of moisture-laden clouds. During Delhi's peak pollution season in winter, such conditions are often absent, making the technology unreliable when needed most.
The Environmental Unknowns
Beyond the financial considerations, experts point to significant environmental uncertainties:
- Chemical consequences: The long-term impact of seeding chemicals on soil and water systems remains poorly understood
- Ecological disruption: Artificial alteration of rainfall patterns could affect local ecosystems
- Regional implications: Changing Delhi's weather might inadvertently impact neighboring states
A Better Investment: Long-Term Pollution Solutions
Environmental scientists argue that the massive funds required for cloud seeding would be better spent on addressing pollution at its source. "Strengthening public transportation, promoting electric vehicles, controlling construction dust, and managing agricultural waste burning would provide more permanent benefits," suggests another IIT Delhi researcher.
The consensus among experts is clear: while artificial rain might offer a dramatic short-term fix, Delhi's pollution problem demands comprehensive, sustainable solutions that tackle the fundamental sources rather than merely washing away the symptoms.
