In this latest test, planes equipped with cloud seeding equipment flew over 10 different areas of Lahore, which is regularly rated as one of the worst air polluted locations in the world. .
According to technology company IQAir, Pakistan’s second most populous city, with more than 13 million people, has closed a series of schools, parks, shopping centers and offices after the quality index failed. (AQI) spiked to more than 400. That number is rated “hazardous.”
Pakistan “declared war” on air pollution with artificial rain
People walk in thick fog on the outskirts of Lahore on December 14. Photo: AFP
Mohsin Naqvi, the head of Punjab state, shared that this “gift” of artificial rain came from the United Arab Emirates. In an interview with the press, he described: “The team from the UAE with two planes arrived about 10 to 12 days ago. They used 48 flares to stimulate artificial rain.” He said the research team will make an assessment on the effectiveness of “artificial rain” later this week.
The UAE has adopted cloud seeding, commonly known as artificial rain or blue sky, to stimulate rain on the country’s arid lands. This process involves the release of common salt or a mixture of different salts into the cloud, facilitating condensation and rain formation. This method has been implemented in many countries, including the United States, China, and India.
Experts emphasize that even small amounts of rain can make a positive contribution to reducing air pollution. In recent years, air pollution in Pakistan has worsened due to a combination of low-level diesel fumes, smoke from seasonal crop burning and cold winter weather.
Lahore, which faces toxic smog, clogs the lungs of more than 13 million people during the winter. The PM2.5 air quality index, which contains cancer-causing particles and enters the blood through the respiratory tract, this past weekend was 66 times higher than the World Health Organization’s danger threshold.
Breathing polluted air has caused many dire health consequences, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory problems according to the WHO announcement.
Government measures, such as watering roads and closing schools, factories and markets on weekends, have had little or no success. Answering a question about a long-term strategy to combat smog, the Minister said the government needs to conduct research to develop a development plan.
Earlier, authorities in Pakistan’s Punjab province imposed a state of environmental and health emergency in three cities – Gujranwala, Hafizabad and Lahore – until the situation improved. The three cities combined have more than 15 million residents.
An announcement from the Office of Pakistan Prime Minister Mohsin Naqvi on November 7 said that local authorities will restrict the movement of people to and from these areas by public and private transport. In addition, gathering more than 4 people in one place is also prohibited.
Akshardham Temple in New Delhi almost disappeared because of dust and smoke. Photo: AFP
Pakistan’s rising pollution levels come after neighboring India saw suffocating smog blanket the capital New Delhi last week, as colder temperatures trapped pollution particles, creating toxic haze.
The impact of air pollution is already evident in some parts of India. According to a 2021 study by the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago (EPIC), toxic air can reduce the life expectancy of Delhi residents by up to nine years.
The study also found that each of India’s 1.4 billion residents is exposed to average annual pollution levels that exceed levels set by the WHO.
Doctors in the Indian capital say they have seen a rise in pollution-related illnesses. Patients are continuously examined for symptoms such as cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing and skin problems.
