Rain Lashes Delhi-NCR, Brings Respite from Dangerous Air
Delhi-NCR Rains: The national capital received light rainfall amid the Delhi government’s ongoing efforts to implement the idea of ’artificial rain’ to curb air pollution in the city.
New Delhi: Amid continuously rising air pollution, parts of Delhi-NCR received light rainfall on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday, providing much-needed respite to people. The sudden showers coincided with the Delhi government’s plan to bring artificial rain through cloud seeding to ease the suffering of residents who have been facing an alarming decline in air quality in recent weeks. Notably, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in Delhi-NCR has remained in the ‘severe’ category for the past week due to a combination of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana and local factors such as vehicle emissions.
#WATCH | Rain lashes parts of the national capital.
(Images from ITO) pic.twitter.com/yS6NSHuntb
— ANI (@ANI) November 10, 2023
Air pollution in Delhi: Ministers inspect vehicles
Meanwhile, Delhi ministers were seen at various borders inspecting vehicles coming from neighboring states. Environment Minister Gopal Rai also inspected vehicles and trucks entering Delhi at the Singhu border.
“After seeing the level of pollution in the national capital, entry of trucks carrying non-essential items has been banned. Only CNG and electric trucks are allowed. Teams have been deployed at all borders for this purpose. Tomorrow, I will again write a letter to the Haryana and UP governments regarding the entry of the trucks,” Rai said.
#WATCH | Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai inspects vehicles and trucks entering Delhi at the Singhu border. pic.twitter.com/O6vXA7gWoH
— ANI (@ANI) November 9, 2023
Meanwhile, AAP Minister Atishi also inspected vehicles at Ghazipur border. “Today after inspection here (Ghazipur border) we have come to know that the systems at the borders need to be strengthened as there are several trucks that are not allowed to enter the national capital but are entering illegally. All ministers of the Delhi government are today inspecting various borders to ensure that no illegal trucks enter the capital,” she said.
Air pollution in Delhi: artificial rain
The Delhi government is gearing up for a round of artificial rain in the city on November 20 and 21 to ease the suffering of residents who have been facing a sharp decline in air quality over the past week. The air quality index in the national capital has remained consistently in the ‘severe’ category for seven consecutive days, which is attributed to a combination of crop residue burning in neighboring states and local factors such as vehicle emissions.
In response to the air emergency in the national capital, Delhi’s Environment Minister Gopal Rai and Finance Minister Atishi convened a meeting with a team from IIT Kanpur. The team suggested that a session of artificial rain could provide relief amid the ongoing air pollution crisis.
The Delhi government has asked the IIT scientists for a detailed plan, which they will present to the Supreme Court on Friday. The court is currently hearing several petitions seeking urgent steps to address the hazardous air quality in Delhi. If the Apex court gives a green signal, the AAP government in Delhi and the Center will take steps to implement the plan.
Air pollution in Delhi: GRAP phase 4 implemented
Currently, phase 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) has been implemented in Delhi after the air quality fell into the ‘severe plus’ category.