A high-rise housing complex in Haryana’s Gurugram city used a unique method to combat pollution as the air quality in many parts of the Delhi-NCR region deteriorated to the ‘Severe’ category.
The Resident Welfare Association (RWA) of DLF Primus Society at Sector-82, Gurugram used sprinklers and water pipes to conduct ‘artificial rain’ atop 32 storeys to combat air pollution.
Artificial rain is also known as cloud seeding and refers to the method of triggering rain by seeding clouds with salts. The national capital is also keen to use artificial rain, according to Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai, as the air quality continues to deteriorate post-Diwali.
Large swathes of north India battle pollution each winter as cold air traps dust, vehicle emissions and smoke from farm fires in the breadbasket states of Punjab and Haryana, shrouding the national capital and its suburbs in a toxic haze. Several areas in the national capital recorded ‘Severe’ air quality, even as the AQI remained at 366.
Meanwhile, the Central government announced an amendment to the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas Rules of 2023 that deals with the imposition, collection and utilisation of environmental compensation for stubble burning.
