Lahore mulls using artificial rain to counter smog

• He said the artificial rain could cost over Rs. 300 million.
• “The air in Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province is so toxic that people's health and lives are in grave danger," Amnesty International said.

A proposal to get rid of the smog in Lahore has been sent to the Finance Department Punjab, Asif Bilal Lodhi, the Commissioner of Lahore said on Friday.

The commissioner said that he had proposed using artificial rain to get rid of smog in Lahore which is worsening for the past couple weeks. He further said that the proposal will be sent to Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar from Finance Department Punjab.

Lodhi continued that he had proposed using cloud seeding to create artificial rain, adding that cloud seeding will be done by rocket launcher or ship and will be used for dry ice or silver eyesight.

The commissioner further said that the process is costly and according to his own estimatation it could cost over Rs. 300 million. Lodhi said that he was hopeful that the government will give their nod and he could test the technology.

Pakistan has already been issued an urgent action warning by Amnesty International for the hazardous smog that has been engulfing Lahore since past few weeks.

“The air in Punjab, Pakistan's most populous province is so toxic that people's health and lives are in grave danger. Schools have been forced to shut down, respiratory illnesses are on the rise and people are having trouble breathing," Amnesty said.