Pakistan uses artificial rain to remove smog

In an effort to address perilous levels of smog in the bustling metropolis of Lahore, Pakistan, artificial rain was deployed for the first time on a Saturday, as announced by the provincial government.

In a groundbreaking initiative for Pakistan, the country conducted its inaugural experiment involving artificial rain to counter the hazardous smog levels in Lahore, a city often ranked among the worst globally for air pollution. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) generously contributed to this endeavor, deploying planes equipped with cloud seeding equipment over 10 targeted areas of the city.

Mohsin Naqvi, the caretaker chief minister of Punjab, revealed that a team from the UAE, accompanied by two planes, had arrived approximately 10 to 12 days prior to the operation. Utilizing 48 flares, the team initiated the artificial rain, with the results expected to be assessed by Saturday night.

The UAE has been increasingly employing cloud seeding, also known as artificial rain or blueskying, to induce rain in its arid regions. This weather modification technique involves releasing common salt, or a mixture of different salts, into clouds, encouraging condensation and subsequent rainfall. The practice has been implemented in various countries, including the United States, China, and India.

Experts emphasize that even minimal rainfall can significantly mitigate air pollution. In Pakistan, worsening air quality has been attributed to a combination of low-grade diesel emissions, smoke from seasonal crop burning, and cold winter temperatures, resulting in stagnant smog clouds. Lahore, with a population exceeding 11 million, bears the brunt of this toxic smog during the winter season.

On Saturday, levels of PM2.5 pollutants in Lahore surpassed the World Health Organization's danger limits by over 66 times, posing severe health risks. Prolonged exposure to such polluted air can lead to strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory ailments, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Previous attempts by successive governments to curb air pollution in Lahore, including road wetting and weekend closures of schools, factories, and markets, have yielded little to no success. When questioned about a long-term strategy, the chief minister acknowledged the need for comprehensive studies to formulate an effective plan.