Delhi set to launch its first cloud seeding operation to fight air pollution

Delhi is set to use artificial rain to lessen air pollution in the city. This will involve five aircraft sorties each of 90 minutes which will spray seeding mixture covering nearly 100 square kilometres over low-security air zones in northwest and outer Delhi, Live Mint reported. 

The flight plan for the cloud seeding operation has been submitted by IIT Kanpur to the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Pune for technical coordination and set to be implemented between July 4 and 11, PTI reported. Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that the “conditions are not suitable for cloud seeding until July 3, but a flight window has been proposed between July 4 and 11.”

Immediately publicise ban on Plaster of Paris idols, NGT tells TNPCB

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) criticised the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board for failing to publicise awareness campaigns on the guidelines for using eco-friendly idols, The Hindu reported. The bench said the Board was taking a “backseat” in enforcing environmental regulations. The court questioned whether any posters had been displayed outlining the do’s and don’ts to prevent the manufacture of idols made from Plaster of Paris (PoP) and other harmful materials.

With a little over two months to go for the festival Vinayaka Chaturthi, the bench also asked if steps had been taken to restrict the entry of such idols from neighbouring states. In response, the counsel representing the Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board TNPCB requested additional time to submit a report.

Noise pollution harms health of millions across Europe, report finds

About 110 million people suffer stress and sleep disturbance because of noise pollution that leads to tens of thousands of early deaths, reported the Guardian citing a new study.

More than 110 million people across Europe suffer high levels of health-damaging noise pollution, according to the report. The resulting physiological stress and sleep disturbance leads to 66,000 early deaths a year and many cases of heart disease, diabetes and depression

The harm to health from noise is greater than that from higher-profile risks, including secondhand tobacco smoke or lead exposure, and incurs an economic cost of almost €100 billion (£86 billion) a year, the analysis found.

About The Author

Editorial Team

A team of handpicked and dedicated writers committed to fact check each climate-related statement. Go to the roots and intent of each policy implemented, internationally and at home to help you understand climate better

See author's posts