Pakistan tests artificial rain to combat air pollution
Published: Saturday, Dec 16th 2023, 15:40
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In the face of dramatic air pollution, Pakistan has tested artificial rain in a metropolis of millions for the first time. The Chief Minister of the most populous province of Punjab, Mohsin Naqvi, reported on the experiment in the city of Lahore in the east of the country on Saturday. "We are observing the effects of the artificial rain," Naqvi said during a televised press conference. Lahore recorded the world's worst air quality among major cities on Saturday, according to a ranking by the Swiss environmental company IQAir.
According to the minister, the experiment was made possible with the help of the government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). A team of experts had already been in the city for two weeks. The artificial rain was initiated using a process known as "cloud seeding". This involves burning silver iodide, a yellowish salt, in clouds in a compound with acetone to promote the formation of raindrops. The hope is that this will also reduce the persistent smog.
Residents of the metropolis of millions have been suffering from the air quality in Lahore for weeks. The provincial government has responded by closing schools, among other measures. The Pakistani authorities believe that industry, traffic and waste incineration are the main causes of air pollution.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Iran, the authorities warned of heavy air pollution in large parts of the country. According to the state news agency Irna, other major cities such as Isfahan, Ahwas and Mashhad were also affected by smog in addition to the capital Tehran.
©Keystone/SDA
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