Delhi’s Cloud Seeding Plan and Air Pollution Crisis

Delhi’s winter air pollution remains a severe problem in 2025. The city’s authorities have proposed cloud seeding as a solution. However, experts warn that this approach misunderstands atmospheric science and overlooks ethical concerns. The persistent smog arises from complex meteorological and human factors that cloud seeding alone cannot resolve.

Why Is Delhi’s Air Pollution Worse in Winter?

Delhi’s air quality deteriorates sharply after the monsoon ends. Dry continental winds from the northwest bring little moisture. The air becomes stagnant as winds weaken. Cooler temperatures reduce water vapour capacity. Stable high-pressure systems prevent clouds from forming. This traps pollutants near the surface. Haze is pollution, not rain clouds. Rain requires moisture and upward air movement, both scarce in winter. Occasional rain comes from western disturbances, not local conditions.

How Does Cloud Seeding Work?

Cloud seeding involves dispersing substances like silver iodide into existing clouds. These particles mimic ice crystals and encourage raindrop formation. However, cloud seeding cannot create clouds where none exist. Its ability to increase rainfall is scientifically uncertain and debated. When it does cause rain, effects on pollution are brief. Pollution levels rise again within days.

Limitations and Risks of Cloud Seeding

Cloud seeding uses chemicals that may accumulate in soil and water. Long-term environmental and health impacts are unclear. There is also a risk of unintended consequences like flooding. Accountability for damage linked to seeding remains undefined. Public trust in science and governance may suffer if adverse events occur. Cloud seeding is not a substitute for addressing pollution sources.

Root Causes of Delhi’s Air Pollution

The main pollution sources are vehicles, industry, construction, power plants, waste burning, and crop fires. Meteorological conditions in winter worsen pollution. Effective control of emissions is lacking. Structural solutions include cleaner transport, sustainable energy, better waste management, and urban planning. These measures are proven but under-implemented.

Why Quick Fixes Fail

Cloud seeding and other flashy interventions like smog towers offer temporary relief at best. They divert attention and resources from systemic reforms. Scientific advisors supporting these gimmicks risk undermining public trust. Real progress requires sustained, evidence-based policies. Courage and commitment to long-term change are essential to improve air quality.

Ethical Considerations in Pollution Management

Using unproven technologies raises ethical questions. Who bears responsibility for side effects or failures? Transparency and accountability are critical. Misleading the public with false hope damages science credibility. Ethical pollution control demands honesty about limitations and risks. It also requires prioritising solutions that target root causes.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically discuss the impact of meteorological factors on air pollution in North India during winter and suggest sustainable mitigation strategies.
2. Analyse the role of scientific ethics in environmental policymaking and examine how accountability can be ensured in the deployment of emerging technologies like cloud seeding.
3. Estimate the long-term environmental and health risks associated with chemical cloud seeding and point out alternative scientific methods for air quality improvement.
4. What are the challenges in implementing structural reforms for pollution control in urban India? How can public trust in science and governance be strengthened to support these reforms?

Answer Hints:

1. Critically discuss the impact of meteorological factors on air pollution in North India during winter and suggest sustainable mitigation strategies.

1. Winter brings stable high-pressure systems causing air stagnation and trapping pollutants near ground level.
2. Dry continental winds from the northwest reduce moisture, limiting cloud formation and rainfall.
3. Cooler temperatures lower atmospheric water vapor capacity, worsening pollutant concentration.
4. Weak winds prevent dispersion of pollutants, leading to smog and haze conditions.
5. Occasional rain from western disturbances is unpredictable and insufficient to cleanse air.
6. Sustainable mitigation – cleaner transport, sustainable energy, better waste management, urban planning, and controlling crop burning.

2. Analyse the role of scientific ethics in environmental policymaking and examine how accountability can be ensured in the deployment of emerging technologies like cloud seeding.

1. Scientific ethics demand transparency about technology’s limitations and risks before deployment.
2. Misapplication or overpromising quick fixes undermines public trust in science and governance.
3. Accountability mechanisms must clarify responsibility for adverse outcomes (e.g., flooding after cloud seeding).
4. Informed consent and public engagement are essential to ethical policymaking.
5. Independent scientific validation and continuous monitoring should guide technology use.
6. Policies should prioritize evidence-based solutions addressing root causes over gimmicks.

3. Estimate the long-term environmental and health risks associated with chemical cloud seeding and point out alternative scientific methods for air quality improvement.

1. Chemicals like silver iodide can accumulate in soil and water, with unclear long-term ecological impacts.
2. Potential risks to agriculture, aquatic ecosystems, and human health remain insufficiently studied.
3. Repeated use may cause bioaccumulation and toxicity in the environment.
4. Alternatives – reducing emissions from vehicles, industry, power plants, and crop residue burning.
5. Promote clean energy, better waste management, and urban green infrastructure.
6. Use air quality monitoring and forecasting to implement timely pollution control measures.

4. What are the challenges in implementing structural reforms for pollution control in urban India? How can public trust in science and governance be strengthened to support these reforms?

1. Challenges include lack of political will, resource constraints, and coordination among multiple agencies.
2. Economic dependence on polluting industries and resistance from vested interests impede reforms.
3. Public apathy and normalization of pollution reduce pressure for change.
4. Strengthening trust requires transparency, consistent communication, and evidence-based policymaking.
5. Engaging communities, scientists, and civil society encourages accountability and ownership.
6. Rejecting quick-fix gimmicks and focusing on long-term, equitable solutions builds credibility.