In an unprecedented move to combat hazardous pollution levels, Pakistan has employed artificial rain for the first time in the megacity of Lahore. The provincial government confirmed the use of cloud-seeding techniques, a groundbreaking initiative to address the severe air pollution plaguing one of the world’s most polluted cities.
Over the weekend, planes equipped with cloud-seeding equipment flew over Lahore, releasing substances to induce rainfall. The initiative aimed to mitigate the hazardous smog that has enveloped the city, with air quality reaching alarming levels in recent weeks. Lahore has struggled with air pollution, prompting various measures, including business closures and extended school closures, to little avail.
The artificial rain initiative was made possible through collaboration with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Teams from the UAE, along with specially equipped planes, conducted the operation, deploying 48 flares to create rain. The provincial government, led by caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi, expressed gratitude for this support from the UAE.
Naqvi emphasized the safety and effectiveness of the artificial rain process, citing over 1,000 annual missions conducted by the UAE using similar technologies. Cloud seeding, often referred to as artificial rain or blueskying, involves burning silver iodide in clouds to encourage condensation and rain formation.
The experiment’s success and its impact on air quality were being closely monitored, with officials expecting to assess the results by Saturday night. The decision to employ artificial rain underscores the urgency of addressing Lahore’s toxic smog, a critical health hazard for its over 11 million residents.
Experts suggest that even modest rain can significantly reduce pollution levels. The levels of PM2.5 pollutants, known for their harmful health effects, were measured at hazardous levels, surpassing 66 times the World Health Organization’s danger limits in Lahore.
Air pollution in Pakistan has worsened in recent years, attributed to a mix of low-grade diesel emissions, crop burning, and industrial activities. Lahore, in particular, experiences severe smog during the winter season, leading to a range of health issues. Prolonged exposure to such pollution can result in strokes, heart disease, lung cancer, and respiratory diseases.
To address the ongoing pollution crisis, the provincial government plans to implement more instances of artificial rain in Lahore. Additionally, large-scale air purifiers, known as smog towers, will be installed in the coming weeks to further combat air pollution. Pakistan, though responsible for less than 1 percent of global carbon emissions, remains one of the top 10 most climate-vulnerable nations, necessitating innovative measures to protect public health and the environment.
