Rawalpindi: In an effort to tackle worsening air quality across Punjab, the provincial government has initiated a pilot project to create artificial rain in Rawalpindi. The trial, designed to reduce airborne pollutants, will only proceed if cloud cover in the region is adequate, according to officials.
This initiative comes as Punjab’s major cities face extreme air pollution, with Lahore recently ranking among the most polluted cities globally. Other cities, including Multan, have also seen smog levels reach hazardous levels, prompting increased urgency for intervention. Yesterday, sections of the motorway were temporarily closed due to visibility concerns stemming from the dense smog.
Provincial authorities have mobilized environmental and government teams to Rawalpindi to oversee the project, which, if successful, could provide a model for future interventions in other affected areas. Officials noted that cross-border winds from India have intensified Lahore’s smog by pushing additional pollutants into Punjab. The smog and haze have now spread beyond Lahore, affecting Rawalpindi and even Islamabad, where visibility and air quality continue to decline.
The artificial rain project, still in its experimental phase, reflects a broader effort to mitigate smog across Punjab and improve the overall air quality for residents amid the ongoing pollution crisis.
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