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New Delhi has used "artificial rain" to curb pollution for the first time

It's about introducing condensation nuclei into the clouds to try to accelerate the natural process and create rain. It's going to be the first time in India, after several failed attempts in previous years. It's been used on some occasions in countries like the United Arab Emirates or Pakistan.

CONTAMINACION INDIA KUTSATZEA EFE
New Delhi, India, contaminated. Photo: EFE

Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has announced that New Delhi has used "artificial rain" for the first timethis Tuesday  to curb pollution and improve air quality during the winter months, according to the Indian news agency PTI.

"Artificial rain" is not new. The  method of "Sowing Clouds"aims to modify the amount or type of precipitation of substances scattered through the clouds. It has sometimes been used in the United Arab Emirates or Pakistan, among others. It consists of introducing condensation nuclei into the clouds to try to accelerate the natural process and create rain.

However, this is the first time such a test has been conducted in New Delhi, after failing in previous years due to lack of adequate weather conditions or official permits.

"The first cloud planting test will take place this Tuesday in the capital after the aircraft equipped to perform the exercise arrived from Kanpur, improving visibility there," Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa reported in videotaped statements by the PTI agency.



The most polluted city in the world

Air qualityin New Delhi is getting worse every year in the winter months. 

Pollution levels in New Delhi are "very harmful tohealth , "despite a slight improvement due to the toxicity tips obtained at the Hindu Diwali festival, which were aggravated by the massive use of pyrotechnics.



According to the Swiss platform IQAir, the Indian capital remains at the top of the world's most polluted cities list this Tuesday.

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