Lahore, Pakistan (December 18, 2023) – In a bold attempt to tackle hazardous levels of smog plaguing Lahore, Pakistan, the city took a groundbreaking step on December 16th: inducing artificial rain for the first time in the country’s history. The experiment took place in the eastern city of Lahore, which is often ranked as one of the worst cities globally for air pollution. Supported by the United Arab Emirates, this intervention aims to address Lahore’s ongoing smoke crisis and improve air quality in the city.
The Cloud Seeding Approach:
The artificial rain technology implemented in Lahore involves cloud seeding, a method used by various countries around the world to stimulate rainfall and combat water scarcity in arid regions. This technique has been successfully employed by the US, China, and the UAE. Cloud seeding is a process where specialized planes release substances, such as silver iodide, potassium iodide, and dry ice, into clouds. These substances act as nuclei for particle aggregation, causing water droplets to accumulate and eventually fall as rain.
Collaboration with the United Arab Emirates:
According to reports, the unprecedented initiative was made possible through the assistance of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Teams from the UAE, along with two planes equipped with cloud seeding equipment, flew over 10 areas of Lahore to target the pollution.
The UAE has previous experience in using artificial rain to combat air pollution in arid regions of the country. This collaboration between Pakistan and the UAE aimed to address the alarming air quality levels in Lahore.
Global Implementation of Cloud Seeding:
Cloud seeding has been employed by over 50 nations since the 1940s as a method to induce rain. Countries like China and those in the Middle East have extensively utilized this technique to address pollution concerns and manage weather patterns. China, in particular, has been successful in using artificial rain to combat air pollution.
Efforts to Improve Air Quality:
The air quality in Lahore has been particularly bad in the past couple of weeks. The Punjab government had implemented several tactics, such as early closure of businesses and extended school holidays, in an attempt to improve the air quality. However, none of these efforts yielded significant results.
Measurements of PM 2.5 pollutants in Lahore have shown levels more than 66 times the danger limits set by the World Health Organization. This highlights the severity of the air pollution problem in the city.
Causes of Air Pollution in Pakistan:
The worsening air pollution in Pakistan can be attributed to a combination of factors. Low-grade diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal crop burning, and colder winter temperatures contribute to the deterioration of air quality. Pakistan’s weather department reports that over 11 million people have suffered from a toxic smog, leading to disastrous health effects caused by breathing the poisoned air.
Interestingly, despite being responsible for less than 1% of global carbon emissions, Pakistan is among the top 10 most climate vulnerable nations. This underlines the urgent need for effective measures to combat air pollution and its adverse effects on public health.
Conclusion:
The first artificial rain experiment in Pakistan marks a significant step towards addressing the hazardous air pollution levels in the country. Collaboration with the United Arab Emirates and the use of cloud seeding technology show promise in combating air pollution in highly affected areas such as Lahore.
Efforts to improve air quality in Pakistan must continue, with a focus on reducing the sources of pollution and implementing sustainable solutions. By taking action against air pollution, Pakistan can safeguard the health and well-being of its citizens and contribute to global efforts in combating climate change.
