Pakistan makes it rain artificially over metropolis
Air pollution in the Pakistani metropolis of Lahore is so bad that schools are now closed. The country is desperately fighting the smog and is keen to experiment: it has tested artificial rain for the first time.
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. "We are observing the effects of the artificial rain," Naqvi said at a press conference.
Lahore had the world's worst air quality among major cities, 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.
Major air pollution
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 see industry, traffic and waste incineration as the main causes of air pollution.
Meanwhile, in neighboring Iran, the authorities warned of severe 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.
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In a bid to combat severe air pollution, Iran has issued warnings for numerous cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, Ahwas, and Mashhad. Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates provided assistance to Pakistan in their attempt to reduce smog in Lahore, which was recently named as having the world's worst air quality among major cities.
Amidst the global concern over air pollution, some countries like Iran and Pakistan are taking proactive measures to combat the issue in their metropolises.
Source: www.ntv.de
