The Delhi government is all set to conduct its first ever environmental experiment known as artificial rain on Wednesday. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta confirmed that Delhi will experience its first artificial rain on October 29. Many have predicted that this will improve the air quality in the national capital and also bring down the pollutants level, including the PM2.5 in the year. The levels have gone up since Diwali, and has recorded the highest in the last five years, says report. As per health experts and doctors, the poisonous air can impact human health in many ways, including:Respiratory issues AsthmaBronchitisCOPD Spiking the risk of cardiovascular disease Heart attackHeart strokesLung cancerPremature death in infants and childrenChildren are most vulnerable to the negative impact of toxic air. Furthermore, the high levels of pollution could also lead to other systemic issues, including affecting the brain, skin, and other organs. How Does Artificial Rain Work?Artificial rain will be orchestrated through cloud seeding. This is a project led by IIT Kanpur in coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD). This will artificially trigger rainfalls over parts of Delhi. As per experts, this is a bold initiative and is a scientific attempt to tackle the city's recurring pollution problem. This is a weather modification technique that enhances rainfall by encouraging condensation in clouds. It does not create rain, but increases the likelihood of rainfall from existing moisture-packed clouds. Chemicals are used as seeding agents, including silver iodide, potassium iodide, salt, and dry ice or frozen CO2. These agents are released into the air with the help of cloud seeding aircraft, and rockets. What happens then is the silver iodide helps in formation of ice crystals in cold clouds and allows the water to cling to them. The precipitation increases and droplets grow larger, eventually leading to a rainfall.Also Read: Delhi Air Pollution: 3 out of 4 households in Delhi-NCR Face Some Kind Of Pollution-Related Health Issues, Finds Survey Can Artificial Rain Put Delhi's Pollution Problem To A Rest?As per experts, its benefit could only be measured based on the amount of moisture present in cloud, wind, and temperature conditions, along with timing and the type of seeding, the size of the area that is being seeded. There are studies that say the benefits of cloud city could have a huge range, from a 5 per cent to 20 per cent spike in precipitation. The process has been successfully implemented in China, the UAE and parts of the United States in order to increase rainfall. As per experts, if the artificial rain is implemented well, it could wash down particulate matter or PM2.5 and PM10. However it is to be noted that this is only a temporary solution to improve AQI, but nevertheless, it can help with breathing and other respiratory issues people are facing.Delhi's AQI As Of 28 October, 6.30 AMAs per the National Air Quality Index, as of 6.30 am, Anand Vihar recorded an AQI of 348, putting it under the 'very poor' category.Kashmere Gate recorded AQI of 299, under 'poor' categoryRohini recorded an AQI of 346, under 'very poor' categoryNangal Thakran, an area in Delhi recorded an AQI of 401, placing it under 'severe' categoryITO recorded an AQI of 336, placing it under 'very poor' categoryNazafgarh recorded an AQI of 307, placing it under 'very poor' categoryAzadpur recorded an AQI of 351, placing it under 'very poor' categoryHow To Read AQI?As per the Central Pollution Control Board, here's how the data on AQI can be interpreted0-50 is considered ‘good’51-100 is considered ‘satisfactory’101-200 is considered ‘moderate’201-300 is considered ‘poor’301-400 is considered ‘very poor’401-500 is considered ‘severe’
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