The Indian capital is one of the most polluted places in the world with particulate matter. Now the government is considering “cloud vaccination” as a countermeasure.
The government of the Indian capital New Delhi is considering using artificial rain to combat the currently bad smog. The process is called “cloud seeding” – chemicals such as silver iodide are distributed into the air. This is said to stimulate the formation of water droplets and ultimately lead to rain.
The measure is expected to cost around 30 million rupees (336,000 euros) and bring some improvement to the residents of the mega-metropolis for at least a week, the local “Economic Times” reported on Saturday, citing scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur. However, several permits are still needed so that the artificial rain can be initiated, Environment Minister Gopal Rai recently told the Indian television station NDTV.
Children are more likely to go on winter vacation because of the smog
Fine dust pollution in and around New Delhi is among the highest in the world – and it is particularly severe in winter. It is many times higher than the World Health Organization (WHO) limits that are considered acceptable. The reason for the winter smog: Despite the ban, farmers in surrounding states are currently burning crop residues in order to be able to grow crops again quickly and cost-effectively. Added to this are exhaust fumes from cars, industry and dust from construction sites and waste incineration.
In view of the bad and persistent smog in the Indian capital, the winter holidays for primary school students have been postponed. Instead of in January, the children will have free from Thursday until the end of next week, as the government announced. This is intended to better protect children from the terrible air pollution. Further measures would be announced later. There are school holidays in the Indian capital because of air pollution whenever the smog is particularly bad, especially in winter.
Despite this, many people in New Delhi do not see air pollution as a major problem and the government is primarily taking short-term emergency measures. The important Hindu festival of lights Diwali also takes place on Sunday, which many people celebrate with fireworks despite the air pollution.
