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Delhi plans artificial rain to combat severe air pollution and rising health issues

dawn.com — November 5, 2024, 01:01 PM UTC

Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai announced plans to use artificial rain to combat severe air pollution, which has worsened respiratory illnesses. The air quality index (AQI) in some areas has exceeded 400, indicating hazardous conditions.

Last year, a similar cloud-seeding initiative was proposed but did not proceed due to unfavorable weather. Doctors report a significant increase in patients with respiratory issues since the Diwali festival, exacerbated by pollution from firecrackers.

Delhi has been ranked the world's second most polluted city, following Lahore. The Punjab government has attributed the pollution crisis to emissions from India and plans to address the issue through diplomatic channels.

Article metrics
Significance5.5
Scale & Impact6.1
Positivity3.6
Credibility8.5
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Timeline:

  1. [4.6]
    Record-high air pollution forces school closures and remote work in Lahore (regina.ctvnews.ca)
    4h
    Source
  2. [4.4]
    Punjab closes schools and launches smog war room to combat air pollution (aljazeera.com)
    7h
    Source
  3. [4.5]
    Punjab government closes schools and shifts to online classes due to severe smog (dawn.com)
    9h
    Source
  4. [4.0]
    Punjab province closes schools in major cities due to severe smog (sg.news.yahoo.com)
    10h
    Source
  5. [3.8]
    Punjab government closes schools in Lahore and other cities due to severe smog (thenews.com.pk)
    11h
    Source
  6. [4.9]
    Record-high air pollution in Lahore leads to surge in hospital visits (apnews.com)
    15h
    Source
  7. [4.2]
    Lahore battles severe air pollution as AQI soars to 1165 (hindustantimes.com)
    15h
    Source
  8. [4.8]
    Record air pollution in Lahore leads to surge in hospital visits (thestar.com)
    17h
    Source
  9. [4.6]
    Record-high air pollution in Lahore leads to surge in hospital visits (independent.co.uk)
    17h
    Source
  10. [4.6]
    Punjab establishes smog war room to tackle severe air pollution in Lahore (ndtv.com)
    17h
    Source
  11. [4.5]
    Record-high air pollution in Lahore sends thousands to hospitals (news.yahoo.com)
    17h
    Source
  12. [4.5]
    Lahore faces worsening air pollution as AQI soars above 600 (dawn.com)
    20h
    Source
  13. [4.3]
    Delhi air quality remains very poor for sixth day as Supreme Court questions firecracker ban enforcement (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
    20h
    Source
  14. [4.1]
    Delhi's air quality remains very poor as fog lingers for second day (hindustantimes.com)
    20h
    Source
  15. [4.1]
    Lahore faces record air pollution as experts call for comprehensive solutions (dawn.com)
    20h
    Source
  16. [3.9]
    Delhi faces severe air pollution as AQI hits very poor levels (timesnownews.com)
    22h
    Source
  17. [4.5]
    Delhi and NCR cities top list of India's most polluted in October (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
    23h
    Source
  18. [4.9]
    Delhi launches campaign to curb open waste burning as air quality worsens (thehindu.com)
    1d 3h
    Source
  19. [4.5]
    Delhi and surrounding cities report highest pollution levels in four years (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
    1d 4h
    Source
  20. [4.3]
    New Delhi mandates heaters for night workers at large construction sites (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
    1d 4h
    Source
  21. [3.8]
    New Delhi's air quality remains very poor as pollution levels rise (timesofindia.indiatimes.com)
    1d 4h
    Source
  22. [4.5]
    Delhi faces severe pollution as first morning fog of the season arrives (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
    1d 7h
    Source
  23. [3.9]
    Delhi's air quality remains severe as first fog of the season sets in (zeenews.india.com)
    1d 8h
    Source
  24. [4.1]
    Delhi struggles with air quality as spending on clean air program lags behind (timesnownews.com)
    1d 14h
    Source
  25. [4.0]
    Delhi's air quality worsens post-Diwali, raising health concerns for children (timesnownews.com)
    1d 16h
    Source
  26. [3.9]
    Lahore named world's most polluted city as Pakistan blames India for smog (firstpost.com)
    1d 18h
    Source
  27. [4.2]
    Delhi faces severe air pollution as AQI levels soar across multiple areas (hindustantimes.com)
    1d 19h
    Source
  28. [4.1]
    New Delhi faces severe toxic smog as winter approaches (sg.news.yahoo.com)
    1d 20h
    Source
  29. [4.1]
    Delhi air quality worsens to 384 as government faces Supreme Court scrutiny over pollution measures (businesstoday.in)
    1d 20h
    Source
  30. [4.0]
    Toxic smog blankets New Delhi as air quality worsens ahead of winter (news.yahoo.com)
    1d 20h
    Source
  31. [4.1]
    Delhi's air quality stays very poor for third consecutive day (hindustantimes.com)
    1d 21h
    Source
  32. [3.9]
    New Delhi and Lahore ranked as the world's most polluted cities (tribune.com.pk)
    1d 22h
    Source
  33. [4.7]
    Pakistan blames India for record high air pollution in Lahore as schools close (livemint.com)
    2d 10h
    Source
  34. [4.6]
    Lahore faces record air pollution levels, schools close for a week (nbcnews.com)
    2d 10h
    Source
  35. [3.7]
    Delhi's air quality stays very poor as IMD warns of dense smog and rain in several states (zeenews.india.com)
    2d 11h
    Source
  36. [4.4]
    Supreme Court asks Delhi government and police to report on firecracker ban enforcement as pollution peaks during Diwali (livelaw.in)
    2d 12h
    Source
  37. [4.9]
    Lahore faces record air pollution as schools close and Pakistan blames India for worsening conditions (indianexpress.com)
    2d 13h
    Source
  38. [4.0]
    Supreme Court demands report from Delhi police on firecracker ban enforcement (indiatoday.in)
    2d 13h
    Source
  39. [3.9]
    Supreme Court of India demands explanations from Delhi government and police over firecracker ban violations (hindustantimes.com)
    2d 13h
    Source
  40. [3.6]
    Lahore's air quality index soars to 1067 prompting school closures as Pakistan blames India for smog (zeenews.india.com)
    2d 13h
    Source
  41. [4.1]
    Supreme Court criticizes Delhi government for failing to enforce firecracker ban during Diwali (livemint.com)
    2d 14h
    Source
  42. [3.6]
    Supreme Court criticizes Delhi for poor enforcement of firecracker ban during Diwali (zeenews.india.com)
    2d 14h
    Source
  43. [4.4]
    Punjab calls for climate diplomacy with India as Lahore faces record smog (edition.cnn.com)
    2d 15h
    Source
  44. [4.0]
    Supreme Court demands Delhi government and police action on firecracker ban during Diwali (ndtv.com)
    2d 15h
    Source
  45. [3.8]
    Supreme Court demands answers from Delhi government and police on firecracker ban violations (timesnownews.com)
    2d 15h
    Source
  46. [3.7]
    Supreme Court questions Delhi government and police on firecracker ban enforcement (hindustantimes.com)
    2d 15h
    Source
  47. [4.7]
    Lahore closes primary schools for a week as air pollution reaches record levels (news.yahoo.com)
    2d 16h
    Source
  48. [4.4]
    Lahore records highest air pollution level, schools close in response (aljazeera.com)
    2d 16h
    Source
  49. [4.4]
    Pakistan blames India for record air pollution spike in Lahore as AQI reaches 1,900 (businesstoday.in)
    2d 17h
    Source
  50. [4.2]
    Mumbai sees sharp rise in air pollution after Diwali, report highlights risks to vulnerable groups (timesnownews.com)
    2d 17h
    Source
  51. [5.1]
    Lahore closes primary schools for a week due to hazardous air quality (apnews.com)
    2d 19h

    ScoresSource
  52. [4.7]
    Lahore closes primary schools for a week due to hazardous air quality (clickondetroit.com)
    2d 19h
    Source
  53. [4.4]
    Delhi air quality worsens after Diwali, reaches severe levels in multiple areas (ndtv.com)
    2d 19h
    Source
  54. [4.0]
    Lahore closes schools and implements work from home due to severe air pollution (india.com)
    2d 19h
    Source
  55. [4.0]
    Lahore closes primary schools for a week due to hazardous air quality (gazette.com)
    2d 19h
    Source
  56. [4.8]
    Pakistan closes primary schools in Lahore for a week due to hazardous air quality (thestar.com)
    2d 20h
    Source
  57. [4.7]
    Pakistan closes primary schools in Lahore for a week due to hazardous air quality (abcnews.go.com)
    2d 20h
    Source
  58. [4.6]
    Delhi faces severe air pollution as haze blankets the city (hindustantimes.com)
    2d 20h
    Source
  59. [4.3]
    India fines thousands of vehicles and construction sites for pollution violations (sg.news.yahoo.com)
    2d 20h
    Source
  60. [4.2]
    India fines thousands of vehicles and construction sites for pollution violations in New Delhi (news.yahoo.com)
    2d 20h
    Source
  61. [4.2]
    Pakistan closes primary schools in Lahore for a week due to hazardous air quality (news.yahoo.com)
    2d 20h
    Source
  62. [4.0]
    Lahore records world's highest pollution levels with AQI of 1900 as officials blame smog from India (timesnownews.com)
    2d 20h
    Source
  63. [4.7]
    Delhi's air quality worsens to 'very poor' as government fines polluting vehicles and construction sites (businesstoday.in)
    2d 21h
    Source
  64. [4.1]
    Lahore records record AQI of 1900 prompting work-from-home orders and school closures (hindustantimes.com)
    2d 21h
    Source
  65. [3.7]
    Delhi faces severe air quality as pollution levels soar to 382 (timesnownews.com)
    2d 22h
    Source
  66. [3.9]
    Delhi air quality worsens to severe levels after Diwali celebrations (livemint.com)
    2d 23h
    Source
  67. [3.5]
    Delhi's air quality worsens to near severe levels after Diwali (livemint.com)
    2d 23h
    Source
  68. [4.6]
    Delhi air quality worsens as pollution levels soar ahead of winter (hindustantimes.com)
    3d 0h
    Source
  69. [4.2]
    Delhi air quality hits season low as calm winds hinder dispersion (hindustantimes.com)
    3d 4h
    Source
  70. [3.8]
    Delhi air quality nears severe level as pollution peaks in India (ndtv.com)
    3d 5h
    Source
  71. [4.7]
    Lahore closes primary schools for a week as air pollution reaches record levels (aljazeera.com)
    3d 6h
    Source
  72. [4.5]
    Delhi's air quality worsens with AQI surpassing 400 after Diwali celebrations (hindustantimes.com)
    3d 6h
    Source
  73. [4.2]
    Delhi's air quality worsens as pollution levels reach severe status (indiatoday.in)
    3d 7h
    Source
  74. [4.9]
    Lahore closes primary schools for a week due to record pollution levels (dawn.com)
    3d 12h
    Source
  75. [4.9]
    Pakistan closes primary schools in Lahore due to record pollution levels (sg.news.yahoo.com)
    3d 13h
    Source
  76. [4.5]
    Pakistan closes schools in Lahore as air pollution reaches dangerous levels (dw.com)
    3d 13h
    Source
  77. [4.2]
    Delhi faces severe pollution as toxic foam appears in Yamuna ahead of Chhath Puja (livemint.com)
    3d 13h
    Source
  78. [4.2]
    Lahore records highest air pollution levels, closes schools and issues work-from-home orders (news.yahoo.com)
    3d 13h
    Source
  79. [4.4]
    Punjab government closes schools for a week as Lahore faces severe smog crisis (tribune.com.pk)
    3d 14h
    Source
  80. [4.2]
    Toxic foam covers Yamuna River as pollution spikes ahead of Chhath Puja in Delhi-NCR (hindustantimes.com)
    3d 15h
    Source
  81. [2.7]
    Chandigarh's air quality improves to 'poor' after Diwali celebrations (timesnownews.com)
    3d 15h
    Source
  82. [4.0]
    Delhi faces hazardous air quality and toxic foam in Yamuna after Diwali celebrations (hindustantimes.com)
    3d 16h
    Source
  83. [4.5]
    Delhi air quality stays very poor after Diwali as farm fires drive pollution rise (thehindu.com)
    3d 17h
    Source
  84. [4.2]
    Lahore's air quality index soars to record high of over 1000 (dawn.com)
    3d 18h
    Source
  85. [3.1]
    Delhi's air quality worsens to very poor as wind speeds decline (hindustantimes.com)
    3d 18h
    Source
  86. [4.2]
    Delhi experiences severe smog as air quality worsens to hazardous levels (ndtv.com)
    3d 20h
    Source
  87. [3.9]
    Delhi air quality worsens as AQI levels exceed 350, raising health concerns (zeenews.india.com)
    3d 20h
    Source
  88. [4.0]
    Delhi's air quality index soars to hazardous 507 as PM2.5 levels spike (businesstoday.in)
    3d 21h
    Source
  89. [4.2]
    Delhi's air quality index soars to 507 as Mumbai and Kolkata also face pollution spike after Diwali (livemint.com)
    3d 22h
    Source
  90. [4.2]
    Delhi air quality plummets to 65 times above WHO limit two days after Diwali (timesnownews.com)
    3d 22h
    Source
  91. [3.9]
    Delhi's air quality worsens to hazardous levels as AQI soars to 507 post-Diwali (livemint.com)
    3d 22h
    Source
  92. [4.7]
    Delhi air quality worsens as AQI soars to 507, 65 times above WHO limit (hindustantimes.com)
    3d 23h
    Source
  93. [3.4]
    Delhi's Anand Vihar records severe air quality as AQI hits 424 (timesnownews.com)
    3d 23h
    Source
  94. [3.5]
    Delhi air quality deteriorates to very poor after morning improvement (ndtv.com)
    4d 7h
    Source
  95. [3.9]
    Air quality worsens in Lucknow and Uttar Pradesh after Diwali celebrations (hindustantimes.com)
    4d 8h
    Source
  96. [3.5]
    Delhi's air quality drops back to very poor after brief improvement (indianexpress.com)
    4d 8h
    Source
  97. [4.3]
    Delhi's PM2.5 levels rise 13% on Diwali compared to last year (ndtv.com)
    4d 9h
    Source
  98. [3.5]
    Delhi faces severe air pollution crisis impacting residents' health, report finds (timesnownews.com)
    4d 15h
    Source
  99. [4.3]
    Delhi ranks as world's most polluted city as firework ban is ignored (dawn.com)
    4d 16h
    Source
  100. [3.9]
    Air pollution spikes in major Indian cities after Diwali celebrations (livemint.com)
    4d 16h
    Source
  101. [4.1]
    Delhi's air quality remains hazardous with AQI over 350 on November 2 (hindustantimes.com)
    4d 18h
    Source
  102. [4.0]
    Delhi sees second cleanest air post-Diwali since 2015 as winds disperse smoke (hindustantimes.com)
    4d 18h
    Source
  103. [3.6]
    Delhi's air quality improves from very poor to poor as strong winds disperse pollutants (hindustantimes.com)
    4d 18h
    Source
  104. [3.9]
    Delhi air quality remains very poor with AQI at 321 two days after Diwali (businesstoday.in)
    4d 19h
    Source
  105. [3.5]
    Delhi's air quality improves slightly after Diwali but remains unhealthy (ndtv.com)
    4d 19h
    Source
  106. [3.5]
    Delhi air quality remains very poor after Diwali celebrations (zeenews.india.com)
    4d 20h
    Source
  107. [3.9]
    Delhi air quality nears severe level with Anand Vihar and IGI Airport among worst affected areas (timesnownews.com)
    4d 22h
    Source
  108. [3.6]
    Delhi sees second cleanest post-Diwali air quality since 2015 despite fireworks and stubble burning (timesnownews.com)
    4d 22h
    Source
  109. [2.9]
    Mumbai air quality deteriorates as AQI exceeds 270 in Malad and Kandivali West (timesnownews.com)
    4d 22h
    Source
  110. [4.1]
    Delhi faces severe air pollution spike on Diwali night due to firecracker use (hindustantimes.com)
    4d 23h
    Source
  111. [3.4]
    Delhi air quality stays very poor as city faces toxic smog after Diwali celebrations (livemint.com)
    4d 23h
    Source
  112. [3.7]
    Firecrackers remain popular in India during Diwali despite city bans (sg.news.yahoo.com)
    5d 1h
    Source
  113. [4.3]
    Survey shows 69% of Delhi families report health issues linked to pollution (ndtv.com)
    5d 5h
    Source
  114. [3.5]
    BJP blames poor road maintenance for Delhi's pollution, not Diwali firecrackers (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 6h
    Source
  115. [3.3]
    Indore faces severe air pollution day after Diwali celebrations (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 7h
    Source
  116. [4.7]
    New Delhi faces severe smog as Diwali fireworks ban is ignored (dawn.com)
    5d 10h
    Source
  117. [3.9]
    Delhi's air quality stable despite pollution violations during Diwali (ndtv.com)
    5d 10h
    Source
  118. [4.6]
    Delhi's air quality declines as residents ignore firecracker ban during Diwali (news.yahoo.com)
    5d 12h
    Source
  119. [4.2]
    Experts cite weak enforcement and easy access as reasons for firecracker ban violations in Delhi (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 12h
    Source
  120. [4.2]
    Air quality worsens to very poor levels across Uttar Pradesh after Diwali (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 12h
    Source
  121. [4.3]
    New Delhi becomes world's most polluted city after Diwali firecracker ban violations (brecorder.com)
    5d 14h
    Source
  122. [3.8]
    New Delhi faces hazardous smog as Diwali fireworks ban is ignored (rawstory.com)
    5d 14h
    Source
  123. [4.2]
    Delhi's air quality improves after Diwali as fewer firecrackers are used (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 15h
    Source
  124. [4.3]
    Delhi minister praises pollution control after Diwali as BJP criticizes AAP government (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 16h
    Source
  125. [3.9]
    Hyderabad's air quality reaches hazardous levels during Diwali celebrations (timesnownews.com)
    5d 16h
    Source
  126. [3.7]
    Delhi's air quality improves after Diwali celebrations despite firecracker use (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 16h
    Source
  127. [4.5]
    New Delhi faces hazardous air quality after Diwali celebrations (dw.com)
    5d 17h
    Source
  128. [4.3]
    Delhi fire department reports record emergency calls during Diwali celebrations (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 17h
    Source
  129. [4.2]
    Delhi ranks as world's most polluted city on November 1 after Diwali celebrations (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 17h
    Source
  130. [3.5]
    Delhi reports over 300 fire incidents on Diwali despite cracker ban (zeenews.india.com)
    5d 17h
    Source
  131. [4.5]
    Toxic smog blankets New Delhi as Diwali firecracker smoke worsens air quality (abcnews.go.com)
    5d 18h
    Source
  132. [4.2]
    Delhi sees highest Diwali pollution in three years despite firecracker ban (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 18h
    Source
  133. [5.0]
    Delhi air quality worsens to 'very poor' after Diwali celebrations (thehindu.com)
    5d 19h

    ScoresSource
  134. [4.6]
    Toxic smog blankets New Delhi as Diwali firecracker smoke worsens air quality (thestar.com)
    5d 19h
    Source
  135. [4.4]
    New Delhi faces severe smog as fireworks ban is ignored during Diwali celebrations (sg.news.yahoo.com)
    5d 19h
    Source
  136. [4.3]
    Toxic smog blankets New Delhi as Diwali firecracker smoke worsens air quality (news.yahoo.com)
    5d 19h
    Source
  137. [3.7]
    Delhi Fire Services reports 300 calls on Diwali but no major fires (economictimes.indiatimes.com)
    5d 19h
    Source
  138. [4.3]
    Delhi Fire Department reports record 320 emergency calls on Diwali night (timesnownews.com)
    5d 20h
    Source
  139. [4.2]
    New Delhi becomes world's most polluted city after Diwali firecracker defiance (sg.news.yahoo.com)
    5d 20h
    Source
  140. [3.8]
    Air quality worsens in Indian cities after Diwali with Karnala topping the list (livemint.com)
    5d 20h
    Source
  141. [3.4]
    Air quality worsens in multiple Indian cities after Diwali celebrations (zeenews.india.com)
    5d 20h
    Source
  142. [4.3]
    Delhi air quality worsens to 'very poor' after Diwali celebrations with AQI at 330 (businesstoday.in)
    5d 21h
    Source
  143. [4.2]
    Delhi faces severe smog after Diwali celebrations despite firecracker ban (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 21h
    Source
  144. [4.1]
    Delhi's air quality deteriorates as firecracker ban is ignored during Diwali celebrations (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 21h
    Source
  145. [3.7]
    Delhi experiences very poor air quality as smog blankets capital after Diwali celebrations (zeenews.india.com)
    5d 21h
    Source
  146. [4.2]
    Delhi faces severe air pollution as toxic smog blankets capital after Diwali celebrations (hindustantimes.com)
    5d 22h
    Source
  147. [3.9]
    Delhi's Diwali celebrations cause sharp rise in pollution levels as firecracker ban is ignored (timesnownews.com)
    5d 22h
    Source
  148. [3.9]
    Delhi's air quality deteriorates after Diwali as firecracker ban is ignored (ndtv.com)
    5d 22h
    Source
  149. [3.0]
    Mumbai's air quality worsens post-Diwali with moderate AQI readings (timesnownews.com)
    5d 22h
    Source
  150. [3.5]
    Delhi air quality remains very poor with AQI reaching 359 today (livemint.com)
    5d 23h
    Source
  151. [3.9]
    India celebrates Diwali with lights and festivities as Delhi faces firecracker ban violations (hindustantimes.com)
    6d 5h
    Source
  152. [3.8]
    Air quality worsens in Haryana and Punjab during Diwali celebrations (hindustantimes.com)
    6d 5h
    Source
  153. [4.1]
    Delhi's air quality worsens as AQI reaches 328 ahead of Diwali (hindustantimes.com)
    6d 6h
    Source
  154. [3.3]
    Mumbai faces hot and polluted Diwali as temperatures soar and air quality declines (hindustantimes.com)
    6d 6h
    Source
  155. [4.7]
    Indian and Chinese troops exchange sweets on Diwali at border points (thehindu.com)
    6d 7h
    Source
  156. [4.2]
    Delhi air quality worsens to very poor as Diwali approaches (hindustantimes.com)
    6d 7h
    Source
  157. [4.0]
    Delhi government urges firecracker-free Diwali to combat pollution crisis (timesnownews.com)
    6d 8h
    Source