The head of a cloud-seeding team from the United Arab Emirates meteorology department, Ahmed Al-Kamal, has expressed optimism for another successful experiment of artificial rainfall in January.
The expert called on Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi along with Chief Pilot Michael Anstis and Pilot Col Ubaid.
The caretaker CM thanked the team members for their endeavours to induce artificial rainfall to reduce smog and expressed gratitude for the UAE’s cooperation, acknowledging the first-ever such successful attempt in Lahore’s history.
He reiterated the need for artificial rainfall to combat smog. Efforts would be made to induce artificial rainfall once again with the assistance of the UAE team, when the required atmospheric conditions would be met, he added.
He mentioned that Air Quality Index levels had remained below 200 for several days after the rainfall.
Read Lahore achieves meteorological milestone with artificial rain to counter smog
The caretaker CM expressed hope that, with suitable atmospheric conditions in January, artificial rainfall could once again be employed to bring further reduction in the smog levels.
He emphasised that the people of Pakistan would not forget the efforts of the UAE in the crucial initiative.
“The successful artificial rainfall operation in Lahore now stands as a significant milestone in the history of weather modification,” he added.
In a historic leap in efforts to curb smog and improve the air quality, the provincial capital had bore witness to its inaugural venture into the realm of artificial precipitation last month.
Read City enjoys maiden artificial rain
Delicately orchestrated with the collaboration of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the unprecedented undertaking yielded a subtle yet momentous rainfall across 10 sectors of Lahore, signifying a triumph in meteorological innovation, Caretaker Punjab Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi had said while speaking to the media.
Applauding the success of Lahore’s maiden artificial rain experiment, he had reiterated the planning invested in the initiative. He had extended gratitude to the Punjab Environment Department and the entire UAE team for their exhaustive scrutiny of the process, culminating in the eagerly awaited results.
Offering insight into the procedure, he had disclosed the deployment of 48 flares for cloud seeding, with a specific focus on the Shahdara area.
He had emphasised that no amount from Punjab’s exchequer had been spent.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2024.
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