According to officials in the Finance Ministry, the Punjab government plans to create artificial rain in Lahore in order to tackle the extreme levels of smog in the provincial capital.
The project expects to cost Rs. 350 million.
Artificial Rain in Lahore
Chief Meteorologist Chaudhry Aslam stated earlier this week that as the government steps up efforts to reduce smog, artificial rain is anticipated in Lahore next month and preparations are under way for it.
According to Swiss company IQ Air, the level of PM 2.5, or microscopic particulate matter, in the air on Friday was 269, which regards as extremely unhealthy.
“PM2.5 concentration in Lahore is currently 43.8 times the WHO annual air quality guideline value,” he said.
According to reliable sources, the secretary of the finance division tasked with reviewing a summary related to this matter.
The sources further stated that Punjab’s acting chief minister, Mohsin Naqvi, would need to approve the summary.
Chinese experts will visit Pakistan soon
Amir Mir, the interim minister of information for Punjab, said that cloud seeding is the best method for creating artificial rain and that issues resolved with Chinese specialists in this regard.
In response to a query, the minister stated that the CM Punjab intended to try out artificial rain this year.
Cloud seeding, another name for artificial rain, is a method of altering the weather.
Chemicals will spray into clouds from an aircraft to complete the process.
The compounds encourage the creation of snowflakes or droplets.
When there is a drought or poor air quality, it uses for rains.
It is important to note that artificial rain has previously been successfully tested by the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD).
Air Pollution
Lahore and the rest of Punjab province gripped by heavy smog, transforming it into a “poisonous gas chamber” where citizens continue to suffer from serious health problems.
The city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) remains in the top five or ten, making it one of the most polluted cities in the world.
According to sources in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a number of furnaces in northern Lahore were operating at night.
They are using low-quality fuel, such as rubber tyres, plastic, and other materials.
While many other factories in the city’s various industrial estates are also contributing to rising air pollution.
To read our blog on “Lahore requests China’s assistance in wipe out of smog,” click here.
