The recent implementation of artificial rain in Lahore has marked a significant breakthrough in addressing the city’s persistent air quality issues. Long plagued by elevated pollution levels, Lahore took a pioneering step by conducting a trial that effectively dispersed the enveloping smog. The noteworthy drop in the Air Quality Index (AQI) from 354 to 189 reflects the tangible success of this initiative.
This development is particularly crucial for Lahore, a city that has consistently ranked among the world’s most polluted. The trial, executed with the assistance of special aircraft from the UAE, involved dispersing 48 flares near Shahdara and Muridke. Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi confirmed the execution of artificial rain at ten different points across the city.
The technique employed, known as cloud seeding, introduces substances like salt flares into clouds, stimulating the formation of raindrops or snowflakes. Cloud seeding, a widely used weather modification approach, aims to combat issues related to drought or poor air quality by encouraging precipitation and improving overall environmental conditions. Lahore’s successful trial not only signifies a local victory in the battle against pollution but also highlights the potential of innovative solutions like artificial rain in addressing environmental challenges on a broader scale.