- The Delhi government has decided to bear the entire cost of artificial rain through cloud seeding to combat hazardous air pollution in the city.
- The decision was made based on the advice of an IIT-Kanpur team, and the government plans to carry out the first phase of artificial rain by November 20, subject to the Centre’s support.
- The Chief Secretary has been directed to inform the Supreme Court that the Delhi government is willing to bear the cost of Phase 1 and Phase 2 pilots for artificial rain, totaling ₹13 crores.
- The IIT-Kanpur team recommended conducting a pilot cloud seeding initiative covering 300 square kilometers immediately to address the air pollution emergency in Delhi.
- Artificial cloud seeding involves dispersing substances like silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice into the air to encourage condensation and precipitation, offering a potential solution to reduce air pollution.