Pakistan Experiments With Artificial Rain to Cleanse Polluted Lahore
In a pioneering step to combat severe air pollution, Pakistan has successfully conducted its first artificial rain experiment in Lahore, with the hopes of cleansing the city's air.
Jordan Taylor
- 2023-12-26
- Updated 11:58 PM ET
(NewsNibs) - On a mission to alleviate the chronic air pollution suffocating Lahore, Pakistan has for the first time resorted to artificial rain induction techniques. In collaboration with a specialized team from the United Arab Emirates, renowned for its expertise in the technology, 10 districts of Lahore witnessed artificial rain last Saturday. Lahore, the capital of Punjab province and home to nearly 13 million people, has long suffered from extreme air quality issues, on some days ranking as one of the most polluted cities globally. The recent artificial rain was launched with 48 rockets that seeded the clouds with silver iodide, common salt, and acetone—a process acknowledged by Punjab's Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi as completely safe and harmless to the public.
Focused Approach to Combat Pollution
The experiment concentrated on an observable area of 15 km radius, where effects of the artificial rain were closely monitored. This ambitious project, delayed by two weeks as the team awaited optimal conditions, also aims to address Lahore’s air pollution that has intensified over several weeks. The city's administration previously tried reducing emissions through measures such as earlier business closings and additional school holidays, but these efforts fell short in making a noteworthy impact. The primary pollutants identified by the government include industrial emissions, vehicle gases, and fumes from brick kilns, along with the adverse impacts of crop residue burning and waste disposal in the central Punjab region.
Moving Forward with Innovative Solutions
Chief Minister Naqvi has announced future plans to escalate measures against environmental and public health challenges faced by the city. Overcoming the dense white smog that has blanketed central Punjab, the Lahore administration is setting up towers to combat mosquitoes and plans to increase artificial rain inductions. This scientific approach to inducing rain has been conducted over a thousand times a year in the UAE, with similar types of technology utilized in the USA and other countries to mitigate pollution and water scarcity. While Pakistan contributes a modest 1 percent to global CO2 emissions, it stands among the nations most vulnerable to climate change, adding urgency to its search for effective environmental strategies.
The artificial rain in Lahore marks a significant milestone for Pakistan in its ongoing struggle against air pollution. The initiative, born out of a dire need for immediate pollution relief, showcases a commitment to exploring scientific avenues and cooperation with global partners to protect public health and the environment. As the effects of this first experiment are evaluated, Pakistan may stand on the brink of a new era in its pollution control efforts.
