Punjab Launches Artificial Rain Trial in Rawalpindi to Tackle Escalating Smog Crisis

The Punjab government has initiated a pilot project to combat the worsening air pollution by testing artificial rain in Rawalpindi. This initiative aims to reduce smog levels in the region, with the trial set to proceed only if adequate cloud cover is present, officials confirmed.

The decision comes as Punjab grapples with escalating air pollution, particularly in major cities such as Lahore, which has recently been ranked among the world’s most polluted cities. Other cities like Multan are also facing hazardous smog levels.

As part of the project, environmental teams have been dispatched to Rawalpindi to oversee the artificial rain process. The cloud seeding operation, which involves dispersing substances into clouds to encourage rain, is seen as a potential solution to mitigate air pollution.

The smog crisis has already forced authorities to close sections of the motorway due to poor visibility, and winds from neighboring India have exacerbated the situation, pushing smoke and particulate matter deeper into Pakistan. The haze is now spreading beyond Lahore, with increasing levels of smog recorded in Rawalpindi and the federal capital, Islamabad.

This project reflects ongoing efforts to tackle the growing air quality crisis in Punjab and its surrounding areas.