In response to the escalating air pollution crisis, the Punjab government is set to test artificial rain in Rawalpindi. The initiative aims to address the intense smog affecting major cities in Punjab, including Lahore and Multan, where pollution levels have reached hazardous levels. The trial will proceed if the region experiences adequate cloud cover, according to local authorities.
The trial comes as Lahore, which has recently been ranked among the world’s most polluted cities, struggles with extreme air quality issues. The smog index in Multan has similarly reached critical levels, prompting authorities to close sections of the motorway due to dangerously poor visibility.
The situation has been exacerbated by winds from India, which have carried heavy smoke and particulate matter into Pakistan, intensifying the already dire conditions. As a result, the smog has spread to surrounding areas, including Rawalpindi and the federal capital Islamabad, further reducing air quality and visibility.
The Punjab government, alongside environmental agencies, has mobilized teams to oversee the artificial rain project. This innovative approach is being closely monitored in hopes of improving the air quality and mitigating the health risks associated with air pollution.
