Smog Threat: Artificial rain expected to take place in Lahore by Cloud seeding

Chinese experts are all set to visit Pakistan to look for possible cloud seeding opportunities in Lahore. Artificial rain is expected to cost almost Rs 350 million but it seems to be the only solution to tackle smog as of yet.

Lahore – The smog crisis has been worsening over the past few weeks. Lahore’s AQI has been showing signs of immense toxicity in the air. According to WHO’s guidelines the AQI Index of Lahore is 48 times higher than it should be.

Moreover, on Friday the concentration of the Tiny Particulate Matter PM 2.5 reached an astonishing 269 which is highly toxic according to experts. The air of Lahore has been termed as the most polluted air in the world.

Punjab CM Mohsin Naqvi said that he wanted to experiment this technique this year to tackle smog. Artificial rain is expected to cost almost Rs 350 million according to the Finance Ministry.

Preparations are underway as the rain is expected for next month in Lahore. Smog seems to have completely taken over Lahore and the situation is so dire that Punjab has already implemented lockdowns on 10 districts. Moreover, schools and colleges are also on a smart lockdown.

Businesses and markets have been disturbed by the lockdown procedures and the public had recently urged the government to find a suitable solution to the growing and worsening situation rather than lockdowns only.

Cloud seeding is one of the best techniques for artificial rain. It is a technique by which tiny particles are sprayed into the air using airplanes. The particles or chemicals assist in the formation of raindrops by moisture clumping and surface tension. The rain drops are then sprayed on land spontaneously in the form of rain.