Noida: With panic setting in because of toxic pollution levels in Delhi-NCR this week, several housing societies in Noida resorted to sprinkling water from high-rise terraces to settle dust and pollutants, to create a rain-like effect.
The societies that did over Tuesday and Wednesday, include Lotus Boulevard in Sector 100, Golden Palm in Sector 168, Exotica Fresco in Sector 137, Homes 121 in Sector 121, and Supertech Capetown in Sector 74. In residents' groups, this was likened to ‘artificial rain' (which, though, is entirely different). Artificial rain or cloud-seeding is a technique used to modify weather by releasing silver iodide (AgI) into the atmosphere for the formation of ice crystals and enhancing cloud's ability to generate rain.
While any initiative to tackle pollution is a welcome one, sprinkling of water can at best have a localised limited impact when the entire airshed is highly polluted.
Prabhakar Bhardwaj of Lotus Boulevard said, "This smog blanket is making everyone sick, particularly children and senior citizens. So, we started spraying water from the terrace from 11.30 pm on Tuesday. It continued till 4 am. We plan to do this every day for at least a week."
Golden Palm resident Deependra Chaudhary said by spraying water from the terraces of the high-rise buildings, which are at least 20 floors high, they hoped dust and pollutants would settle, at least on the society's premises.
While residents have largely welcomed the initiative, they sought more concerted efforts from the govt to address the annual winter smog.
Exotica Fresco AOA's president Surojit Dasgupta said sprinkling water from terraces could be a small step but was significant to tackle the alarming AQI levels. "We want Noida Authority to sprinkle water on the dusty roads of the sector. With over 50,000 residents in the area, broader action is crucial for the health and well-being of the community," he said. The society's AOA is also sprinkling water on its campus at least 2-3 times a week.
At Homes 121, the AOA started sprinkling water within the campus right after Diwali. "We bought a spray pump and have been spraying water from the terrace and lobby balconies of the towers every 2-3 days as several senior citizens and children started complaining of itchy eyes and breathing issues after Diwali. However, as AQI plummeted to severe category earlier this week, we increased the frequency of spraying water," Dinesh Singh, Homes121 president, said.
In Ghaziabad too, Amrapali Village AOA sprayed water from the terrace of its towers. "As our society abuts Delhi-Meerut Expressway, vehicular pollution is especially high in these areas. We have been spraying water on the society's premises since Monday to help settle the dust in the area at least," Deepak Kumar, the society's AOA president said.
Several RWAs also sprinkled water on the roads and pavements that are adjacent to their societies.
Meanwhile, the Noida Authority has also been sprinkling water on 100 to 125 km stretch daily.