New Delhi, Oct 29 (NationPress) The planned cloud-seeding operation for Wednesday in Delhi has been postponed due to inadequate moisture present in the clouds, as stated by IIT Kanpur. They noted that this process is significantly reliant on favorable atmospheric conditions, indicating that plans for inducing artificial rain will be revisited soon.

IIT Kanpur released an official statement regarding the cancellation of the scheduled operation, mentioning, "Yesterday's attempt did not result in rainfall due to moisture levels being approximately 15 to 20 percent, yet it provided valuable insights. Monitoring stations established throughout Delhi recorded real-time variations in particulate matter and moisture levels."

"The data revealed a notable decrease of 6 to 10 percent in PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, suggesting that even with limited moisture, cloud seeding can aid in enhancing air quality," it added.

The esteemed institute further emphasized that such findings bolster our planning for future operations and assist in identifying optimal conditions for maximum effectiveness.

"IIT Kanpur is dedicated to advancing this research with scientific rigor and a clear aim of improving environmental outcomes for the National Capital Region," it continued.

Meanwhile, the much-anticipated attempt to generate artificial rain through cloud seeding over specific areas in Delhi was deemed "not entirely successful." According to IIT Kanpur Director Manindra Agrawal, this setback was mainly due to the lack of moisture in the clouds, stressing that cloud seeding is not a definitive solution for Delhi's pollution crisis but rather an emergency measure.

In an exclusive conversation with NDTV last night, Agrawal, whose institute is leading this initiative alongside the Delhi government, shared that the team plans to make new attempts in the coming days, hoping for better outcomes.

It is important to note that the IIT Kanpur-led team utilized a mixture containing 20 percent silver iodide, with the remainder made up of rock salt and common salt to initiate cloud seeding. A total of 14 flares were discharged on Tuesday.

When questioned about the potential of cloud seeding as a long-term solution for Delhi's ongoing air pollution, Agrawal responded firmly.

"This is an SOS solution, meant for use only in emergencies when pollution levels are alarmingly high. It is not a permanent fix. The enduring solution lies in tackling the sources of pollution. Ideally, we should aim for a scenario where cloud seeding is unnecessary due to the eradication of pollution itself. Until that time, this remains one of the tools available for temporary relief," he stated.