LAHORE: The Punjab government has successfully trialed local technology for artificial rain to help mitigate the impact of heavy smog in the province.
“Cloud seeding” was done in Jhelum, Gujar Khan, Chakwal, and Talagang. Within a few hours, it started to rain in the first two places.
Experts from the Environmental Protection Agency, Pak Arab Refinery Limited (PARCO), Army Aviation, the Punjab government, and the Pakistan Army’s Scientific Research and Development division worked together on the project.
The relevant institutions were able to effectively execute this trial by utilizing their superior technology and local experience.
The goal of the artificial rainfall is to combat the smog that has made it nearly impossible to see in Lahore, Multan, and other areas of Punjab, which has increased the chances of respiratory diseases, closed schools, and imposed other limitations.
With a population of 14 million and an abundance of factories bordering India, the city of Lahore is known for its high levels of pollution. However, last month, levels reached record highs, forcing authorities to take drastic action in the fight against smog.
The air quality index (AQI) of the main city of Punjab has been the highest in the world for most of the week, according to the Swiss group IQAir. This is because winter has brought more pollution to the area.
Chief Minister of Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif praised the success of the artificial rain project and thanked all the scientists and institutions that worked on it.
If this project is successful, it will pave the way for further technical development in Pakistan and make people’s lives easier while dealing with weather-related problems.
On Friday, hundreds of millions of Muslims prayed for rain and forgiveness as Punjab province declared a health emergency due to deadly smog. Schools were suspended for another week and universities were moved online. Construction was also banned.
