Aayal QureshiLahore, Pakistan – In a proactive measure against the ongoing smog crisis in Lahore, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has lent a helping hand by dispatching two aircraft for cloud seeding operations earlier this month. The initiative, aimed at combating the hazardous air quality in Pakistan’s largest city, was confirmed by Mohsin Naqvi, the caretaker chief minister of Punjab.
Describing the UAE’s involvement as a “gift,” Naqvi revealed that the Emirates took charge of the entire operation, employing the weather modification technique of cloud seeding. This process involves the release of salt flares into clouds to stimulate rainfall, a method the UAE has been pioneering for years.
“It was an experiment that was important for us so that we can combat smog. We’ll see how much rainfall happens in the coming days, but we’ve had the first rainfall already,” stated Mr. Naqvi on Saturday.
Lahore, plagued by persistent smog and ranked ‘unhealthy’ by Swiss air technology company IQAir, has faced numerous challenges, including flight delays at its main airport due to heavy smog. The pollution crisis worsens during the winter season when crop remnants are burned, contributing to prolonged air pollution.
Cloud seeding, a technique practiced extensively by the UAE, offers a potential solution by promoting rainfall, which, in turn, helps reduce air pollutants. The UAE’s commitment to weather modification was highlighted by the 311 cloud-seeding missions conducted in 2022, a significant increase from 177 flights in 2016.
As part of Lahore’s recently introduced smog action plan, which includes measures such as artificial rain, the local authorities are actively working to improve air quality. This includes vehicle inspections, the installation of emission control systems in industries, and initiatives to replace stubble burning with more environmentally friendly methods.
The collaboration between the UAE and Lahore is not only a testament to international cooperation but also underscores the significance of innovative solutions in addressing global environmental challenges. As the region anticipates the impact of the cloud seeding experiment, hopes are high for a positive outcome in the ongoing battle against pollution in Lahore.
