As the Air Quality Index (AQI) continued to deteriorate in Gurugram, a housing complex in the city decided to take the matter into its hands to combat the rising air pollution. DLF Primus in Sector 82 carried out "arificial rain" on Thursday using sprinklers and fire lines to control dust and particulate matter in the society.
A video of the "artificial rain" being carried out in the society has surfaced, wherein water can be seen drizzling down on the complex from its 32 storeys-high towers.
The president of the complex's Resident Welfare Association (RWA) told news agency ANI that the measure was taken to ensure the health of the residents as government alone cannot tackle the rising pollution. He also said that the society was prepared to conduct the "artificial rain" everyday if necessary incase the AQI increases.
RWA President, DLF Primus Sector-82, Achal Yadav said: "Pollution is becoming a serious issue and it cannot be controlled by the government alone. Every resident of Gurugram has to contribute. We are conducting artificial rain from the fire lines of the 32-storeyed high-rise towers so that at least dust and other particles, which are harming children and senior citizens, can be controlled to some extent," he said.
"If AQI increases in Gurugram, we are ready to conduct this every day. We have also taken other steps including car-pool to control pollution," he added.
Artificial rain, also known as cloud seeding, is carried out by using substances like dry ice and silver iodide into the atmosphere to enhance precipitation. Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the AAP government is also considering to use artificial rain to combat air pollution in the national capital.