NEW DELHI: India for the first time has decided to make an artificial rain to improve the worsening air quality in New Delhi, the world’s most polluted capital, Western media reported on Wednesday.
The government in the city has already closed all schools, stopped construction activities and imposed restrictions on vehicle use to tackle the issue.
The local environment minister has said that authorities after legal approval and weather conditions would try to induce rain from around November 20.
Air quality in New Delhi deteriorates every year before winter, when cold air traps pollutants from vehicles, industries, construction dust and agricultural waste burning.
Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai told media that there is a possibility that, if current weather persists, the pollution situation will remain the same.
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Rai said a proposal by experts on creating rain will be presented to the Supreme Court on Friday.
It is pertinent to mention that China, Indonesia and Malaysia have previously induced rain.
Delhi’s environmental department said it planned to create clouds, a technique using substances, such as, silver iodine to induce precipitation.
Air quality index for New Delhi stands over 320
The air quality index for the New Delhi stood over 320 early on Wednesday, a level termed as hazardous by Swiss group IQAir.
The local government has ordered to close all government and private schools from Thursday until November 18.
The Supreme Court has also directed surrounding states of New Delhi to stop farmers burning crop residue, as air quality worsened in the last week.
