With the surging apocalyptic smog, the environment is worsening every day and speeding up the various severe respiratory and skin issues. It is always said that not breathing is equivalent to death, but now, with the increasing pollution, breathing and inhaling air have become the causes of death. Many reasons are driving the pollution day by day, including stubble and fossil fuel burning, firecrackers, vehicles, factories, construction, and many more.

Have you ever thought that we all have learned from the early days of our school days, but have we ever applied any preventive measures against pollution in real life? And, the answer is, No.

This is why today many places in the world, especially Pakistan and India, are juggling with the poor air quality index. 

To make the situation better, authorities are now planning for artificial rain. However, this will not be a permanent or long-term solution, but still, it will help to settle that particle matter in the air. 

But do you know what artificial rain is? If not, stay relaxed! This blog is ideally written to define what cloud seeing is, and how it is effective to improve the air quality. Let us have a look!

What is Artificial Rain, and How Does Artificial Rain Work?

Artificial rain or cloud seeding is simply meant for man-made or unnatural rain. This is the technique to increase precipitation by releasing chemicals into the atmosphere. The chemicals, when added to the atmosphere, promote the development of rain or snow. 

In this method, first clouds get added some substances like dry ice, silver, and potassium iodide. Then these act as nuclei around which water droplets can accumulate; ultimately, this makes the cloud heavy and dark by attaining more and more moisture. In this way, it results in artificial rain.

Nevertheless, after decades of experiments, its efficiency still varies according to climatic changes in different locations. 

However, Dubai is one of the well-known locations worldwide for the use of artificial rain heavily. Currently, IIT Kanpur has used this way to get unnatural rain trials on their campus with satisfactory results. 

Artificial rain is highly effective in cooling down the temperature if it surges at an alarming rate and makes survival difficult. However, by noticing the worsening situation due to rising pollution and smog in the various parts of the nation, authorities are feeling it necessary to take steps to combat pollution with artificial rain or cloud seeding.

Artificial Rain and Pollution Control

Artificial rain helps to combat smog and air pollution by inducing precipitation. This technique has several benefits in reducing pollutants and improving air quality. Here is how artificial rain works and controls pollution:

1. Washes away pollutants

Artificial rain brings water from the atmosphere down to the ground in the form of precipitation. This rainfall helps to wash away particles from the air, such as dust, soot, and other pollutants. As a result, it helps in improving visibility and reducing smog levels.

2. Improves air quality

The rain also binds with fine particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and brings it to the ground. This directly lowers the concentration of harmful pollutants in the atmosphere. In this way, artificial air helps in making the air cleaner and safer to breathe.

3. Dilutes toxic chemicals

Rainwater helps in diluting gaseous pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) and sulfur dioxide (SO2) that contribute to smog formation. This decreases their impact on the environment and human health.

4. Provides Moisture to Dry, Dusty Regions

In areas prone to dust storms like Dubai, artificial rain adds much-needed moisture to the environment. This aids in reducing the chances of dust particles being carried into the air, which reduces pollution.

Concerns of Artificial Rain

Artificial rain is a promising solution to combat pollution for a shorter time, but it comes with another limitation also. It effectively reduces smog by washing pollutants from the air. However, this is not the root cause of curbing pollution. Its impacts are temporary. 

Moreover, cloud seeding relies on existing clouds. Thus, artificial rain is likely to be ineffective in completely dry conditions. The chemicals used, such as silver iodide, may also pose environmental risks over time. Despite these challenges, artificial rain remains a valuable tool for improving air quality during critical pollution episodes. Along with this, this is also a costly solution. Recently, due to the increasing pollution of Delhi, which has become the most polluted city in the world, IIT Kanpur has given an estimation of 1 lakh per square kilometer. 

Closing Thought to Reduce the Pollution Increasing

On the whole, it can be concluded that artificial rain or cloud seedings are better to get immediate relief from rising pollution and smog in areas like Delhi. However, it will help in improving the air quality. However, using artificial rain to settle down the pollutants in the environment is not the long-term solution to combat pollution. This issue requires a collaborative approach from the side of authorities and citizens to come forward and take steps to reduce pollution. 

• Plant more and more trees, 
• Use less fuel, 
• Use more public transportation. 
• Walk on the path of sustainability and prefer naturally made things.
• Do not completely rely on chemically prepared items.
• Avoid stubble burnings

Love your surroundings; do not exploit them! Take the initiative today and make the planet better for your upcoming generation instead of making this the worst place to live! 

Love and Care Earth for a Happy Tomorrow!

Author: mayank

Mayank Firani is a dedicated blog writer with expertise in crafting compelling content across various niches.