Delhi To Bear Entire Cost Of Artificial Rain, Seeks Centre's Support

The Delhi government has decided to bear the entire cost of artificial rain for combating hazardous air pollution in the city and directed the chief secretary to present the government's views before the Supreme Court on Friday, officials said.

If the Centre supports the decision, the Delhi government can arrange for first artificial rain in the city by November 20, they said on Thursday.

"In a significant development, the Delhi government has decided to bear the cost of artificial rain that could be made to happen by November 20 if the Centre extends its support to the Delhi government," said a senior government functionary.

The Kejriwal government has plans to induce artificial rain through cloud seeding to combat air pollution in Delhi, Environment Minister Gopal Rai said on Wednesday.

Mr Rai held a meeting with scientists from IIT-Kanpur who explained that cloud seeding can only be attempted when there are clouds or moisture in the atmosphere.

"Experts anticipate that such conditions could develop around November 20-21. We have asked the scientists to prepare a proposal by Thursday that will be submitted to the Supreme Court," the minister told reporters.

Mr Rai emphasised that obtaining the necessary clearances and permissions for using this technology from both the central and the state governments is a time-sensitive matter.

India Meteorological Department Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told PTI that inducing artificial rain can only be attempted when there are clouds or moisture available.

Artificial rain through cloud seeding involves dispersing substances into the air to encourage condensation, resulting in precipitation. The most common substances used for cloud seeding include silver iodide, potassium iodide and dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). These agents provide the nuclei around which water vapour can condense, ultimately leading to the formation of rain or snow.

This weather modification technique has been utilised in various parts of the world, primarily in regions experiencing water scarcity or drought conditions.

However, the effectiveness and environmental impact of cloud seeding remain subjects of ongoing research and discussion.

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Supreme Court Relief To Randeep Surjewala In 23-Year-Old Case

The Supreme Court on Thursday granted five weeks' protection against Non-Bailable Warrant (NBW) to national spokesperson of Congress Randeep Surjewala in a 23-year-old case of violent protest in the divisional commissioner's court and office compound in Varanasi. A bench of Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra ordered that a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against Mr Surjewala shall not be executed for five weeks.

The bench also granted four weeks to Mr Surjewala to move the application before the Varanasi court and seek cancellation of the NBW.

"We permit the petitioner to move the trial court for cancellation of NBW within four weeks and the warrant shall not be executed for the period ending after five weeks," the bench said.

A Special Judge (MP-MLA) in Varanasi issued NBW on November 7, 2023, ordering him to be produced before the court on November 21 in connection with the case.

The court also wrote a letter to the Delhi Police Commissioner, directing him to ensure his appearance in the court on the prescribed date.

During the hearing, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Mr Surjewala, told the bench that the case dates back to the year 2000 when an FIR was registered against him because of alleged political agitation he did as a youth Congress leader.

Mr Singhvi told the Supreme Court that the incident occurred in 2000, and the summons against Mr Surjewala was issued 22 years later in August 2022.

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Special Team Constituted To Stop Digging Of Illegal Borewells In Bengaluru

Karnataka Minor Irrigation Minister N S Boseraju on Thursday said a special team comprising senior officers has been constituted to prevent digging of illegal borewells in Bengaluru Urban district.

He said this needs to be done to prevent the depletion of the groundwater table.

"It is true that, of late, permission is not being obtained to dig borewells in Bengaluru Urban district. We need to stop this as there have been complaints. I have instructed the Directorate of Groundwater to look into the matter," Boseraju said.

The special team has been told to conduct random checks of borewells in surprise raids.

He also directed the Chief Engineer of Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board to instruct officials to conduct checks.

The special team has been constituted, as per the minister's directions, under the leadership of Deputy Director of the Directorate of Groundwater G Jayanna and senior geologist H M Nagaraj, it was stated. 

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Earthquake Of Magnitude 3.1 Hits Arunachal's West Kameng

An earthquake of magnitude 3.1 on the Richter Scale hit Arunachal Pradesh's West Kameng, according to the National Centre for Seismology (NCS).

As per the NCS, the earthquake occurred at 6:24 p.m. at a depth of 10 kilometres.

"Earthquake of Magnitude:3.1, Occurred on 09-11-2023, 18:24:03 IST, Lat: 27.34 & Long: 92.18, Depth: 10 Km, Location: West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh", said the NCS in a post on 'X'.

Earthquake of Magnitude:3.1, Occurred on 09-11-2023, 18:24:03 IST, Lat: 27.34 & Long: 92.18, Depth: 10 Km ,Location: West Kameng, Arunachal Pradesh, India for more information Download the BhooKamp App https://t.co/BfYAQh9hPm@Indiametdept @ndmaindia @Dr_Mishra1966 @KirenRijiju pic.twitter.com/KreIuaabYD

— National Center for Seismology (@NCS_Earthquake) November 9, 2023

Earlier, an earthquake of magnitude 3.6 hit North Bengal on Wednesday morning.

The tremors were felt around 10 am in West Bengal's Alipurduar district.

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