Delhiites woke up to a hazy morning on Tuesday with thick clouds hanging over the city, as the air quality remained trapped in the ‘very poor’ zone. According to data from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) stood at 305, reflecting the worsening pollution levels that continue to choke the national capital every winter.
Delhi’s AQI Remains ‘Very Poor’ at 305: Which Areas Are Worst Hit?
The CPCB data revealed that 27 of Delhi’s 38 monitoring stations recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, with AQI readings surpassing 300.
Siri Fort reported the highest AQI at 351, closely followed by Wazirpur at 342, making them among the city’s most polluted zones.
On Monday, Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI had already reached 301 at 4 pm, highlighting a consistent trend of poor air quality.
For reference, the CPCB classifies AQI levels as follows:
Weather Update: Cloudy Skies and High Humidity Grip the Capital
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 20°C, which is 3.9°C above normal for this time of the year. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 28°C.
Humidity levels also remained high, with the relative humidity reaching 95 per cent at 8:30 am, adding to the discomfort amid the haze. Cloudy conditions are expected to persist through the day, IMD officials said.
Delhi Prepares for First Cloud Seeding Trial to Curb Air Pollution
In an effort to combat the rising pollution levels, Delhi is all set to conduct its first-ever cloud seeding trial today, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed.
Speaking to PTI, Sirsa said the aircraft from Kanpur, equipped for the exercise, will reach the capital once visibility improves from 2,000 metres to 5,000 metres in Kanpur.
“The flight will arrive in Delhi once the visibility improves. The cloud seeding trial will be conducted today,” Sirsa told PTI Videos.
The trial aims to induce artificial rain to help settle dust and pollutants from the air, a method that has been used in various countries to improve air quality.
How the Cloud Seeding Experiment Works
Preparations for the exercise have been underway for weeks. A test flight over Burari last week released small quantities of silver iodide and sodium chloride, compounds that help form raindrops when injected into clouds.
However, rainfall could not be induced during the test due to low atmospheric moisture, which stood below 20 per cent, far from the 50 per cent typically needed for successful cloud seeding.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had earlier said that the India Meteorological Department predicted favourable conditions for cloud formation between October 28 and 30.
“If conditions remain favourable, Delhi may witness its first artificial rain on October 29,” Gupta had said on X (formerly Twitter).
All You Need to Know About Delhi’s Cloud Seeding Project
The Delhi government signed a memorandum of understanding with IIT Kanpur on September 25 to carry out five cloud seeding trials, all planned in northwest Delhi.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the trials between October 1 and November 30.
The government has also secured clearances from over 10 departments, including the Union ministries of environment, defence and home, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Airports Authority of India.
The Delhi Cabinet had earlier approved the project on May 7, allocating Rs 3.21 crore for the five trials.
However, the plan faced repeated delays due to unfavourable weather, with earlier deadlines set for May-end, June, August, September, and again in October.
Chhath Festivities and Political War of Words
Even as the city grappled with pollution and overcast skies, Delhi continued to celebrate Chhath Puja with grandeur. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with ministers Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, and Ravinder Indraj, offered ‘Arghya’ to the rising Sun at ITO Ghat on Tuesday morning.
Sirsa also criticised the AAP for “spreading negativity” during the festival, saying, “For the last three days, AAP is spreading negativity. They should have participated in the festivities. May Chhathi Maiya give them good sense.”
Will Artificial Rain Bring Relief?
The success of today’s cloud seeding trial depends heavily on the availability of suitable clouds and moisture levels. If successful, it could mark a significant step in Delhi’s ongoing fight against winter smog.
With pollution levels already touching ‘very poor’ levels and the winter season only beginning, Delhi’s first artificial rain could be the silver lining in its grey skies.
Inputs from agencies
Delhi’s AQI Remains ‘Very Poor’ at 305: Which Areas Are Worst Hit?
The CPCB data revealed that 27 of Delhi’s 38 monitoring stations recorded ‘very poor’ air quality, with AQI readings surpassing 300.
Siri Fort reported the highest AQI at 351, closely followed by Wazirpur at 342, making them among the city’s most polluted zones.
On Monday, Delhi’s 24-hour average AQI had already reached 301 at 4 pm, highlighting a consistent trend of poor air quality.
For reference, the CPCB classifies AQI levels as follows:
- 0–50: Good
- 51–100: Satisfactory
- 101–200: Moderate
- 201–300: Poor
- 301–400: Very Poor
- 401–500: Severe
Weather Update: Cloudy Skies and High Humidity Grip the Capital
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded a minimum temperature of 20°C, which is 3.9°C above normal for this time of the year. The maximum temperature is likely to hover around 28°C.
Humidity levels also remained high, with the relative humidity reaching 95 per cent at 8:30 am, adding to the discomfort amid the haze. Cloudy conditions are expected to persist through the day, IMD officials said.
Delhi Prepares for First Cloud Seeding Trial to Curb Air Pollution
In an effort to combat the rising pollution levels, Delhi is all set to conduct its first-ever cloud seeding trial today, Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed.
Speaking to PTI, Sirsa said the aircraft from Kanpur, equipped for the exercise, will reach the capital once visibility improves from 2,000 metres to 5,000 metres in Kanpur.
“The flight will arrive in Delhi once the visibility improves. The cloud seeding trial will be conducted today,” Sirsa told PTI Videos.
The trial aims to induce artificial rain to help settle dust and pollutants from the air, a method that has been used in various countries to improve air quality.
How the Cloud Seeding Experiment Works
Preparations for the exercise have been underway for weeks. A test flight over Burari last week released small quantities of silver iodide and sodium chloride, compounds that help form raindrops when injected into clouds.
However, rainfall could not be induced during the test due to low atmospheric moisture, which stood below 20 per cent, far from the 50 per cent typically needed for successful cloud seeding.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta had earlier said that the India Meteorological Department predicted favourable conditions for cloud formation between October 28 and 30.
“If conditions remain favourable, Delhi may witness its first artificial rain on October 29,” Gupta had said on X (formerly Twitter).
All You Need to Know About Delhi’s Cloud Seeding Project
The Delhi government signed a memorandum of understanding with IIT Kanpur on September 25 to carry out five cloud seeding trials, all planned in northwest Delhi.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the trials between October 1 and November 30.
The government has also secured clearances from over 10 departments, including the Union ministries of environment, defence and home, the Uttar Pradesh government, and the Airports Authority of India.
The Delhi Cabinet had earlier approved the project on May 7, allocating Rs 3.21 crore for the five trials.
However, the plan faced repeated delays due to unfavourable weather, with earlier deadlines set for May-end, June, August, September, and again in October.
Chhath Festivities and Political War of Words
Even as the city grappled with pollution and overcast skies, Delhi continued to celebrate Chhath Puja with grandeur. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, along with ministers Manjinder Singh Sirsa, Kapil Mishra, and Ravinder Indraj, offered ‘Arghya’ to the rising Sun at ITO Ghat on Tuesday morning.
Sirsa also criticised the AAP for “spreading negativity” during the festival, saying, “For the last three days, AAP is spreading negativity. They should have participated in the festivities. May Chhathi Maiya give them good sense.”
Will Artificial Rain Bring Relief?
The success of today’s cloud seeding trial depends heavily on the availability of suitable clouds and moisture levels. If successful, it could mark a significant step in Delhi’s ongoing fight against winter smog.
With pollution levels already touching ‘very poor’ levels and the winter season only beginning, Delhi’s first artificial rain could be the silver lining in its grey skies.
Inputs from agencies
You may also like
QTCinderella breaks down on Twitch live stream after racism accusations and apologizes to LGBTQ+ viewers
Govt rakes in Rs 387 crore from scrap disposal in Swachhata Campaign 5.0
'I pressed Sadiq Khan 8 times on grooming gangs, his reaction told me everything'
Cyclone Montha yet to cause major damage: Odisha CM
Trump's popularity dips as Americans sweat cost of living, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
