Pakistan has initiated its first-ever artificial rain project in Lahore, utilizing cloud seeding technology to combat the city’s severe air pollution crisis. This groundbreaking effort, supported by the United Arab Emirates, involved planes equipped with cloud seeding equipment targeting 10 areas of Lahore, notoriously known for its poor air quality.
Caretaker Chief Minister of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, announced that the project, a collaboration with UAE teams, used 48 flares to induce rainfall. The effectiveness of this “artificial rain” in reducing pollution levels was expected to be assessed by Saturday night. The UAE has experience in cloud seeding, which involves dispersing substances like common salt into clouds to stimulate rain formation.
This weather modification technique, used in various countries including the United States, China, and India, can effectively reduce air pollution even with modest rainfall. Lahore, struggling with hazardous air quality due to a combination of factors like diesel fumes, crop burning smoke, and cold weather, has witnessed worsening air pollution over the years. The city’s PM2.5 levels, indicating the presence of cancer-causing microparticles, were measured at dangerously high levels, far exceeding the World Health Organization’s safety limits.
The health implications of Lahore’s toxic air are severe, with risks of strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory illnesses. Despite previous attempts by governments to mitigate air pollution through various methods, such as water spraying and partial shutdowns, success has been limited. The chief minister acknowledged the need for comprehensive studies to develop a long-term strategy against the smog crisis.
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