| AHORE:The Punjab government has started planning to carry out artificial rain in the provincial capital, which will be the first of its kind in the country.
In this regard, Provincial Environment Minister Bilal Afzal and Education Minister Mansoor Qadir presided over the meeting here on Thursday. The meeting discussed evaluation of short, medium and long-term measures to control smog in the City. Consultation on artificial rainfall to eliminate smog was also held and it was decided that preparations should be made regarding artificial rain in the City on November 28 or 29, when there is possibility of a cloudy weather.
Provincial Minister of Environment said that a team and working group should be formed to provide artificial rain. The working group will consult on the provision of aircraft to carry out artificial rain.
Provincial Minister for Environment said that clouds were necessary for artificial rain. The working group will have to consider all aspects of the artificial rain. The final proposals of the working group will be sent to the chief minister for approval. Secretary Environment Rashid Kamalur Rehman, representatives of Environment Protection Department, SPARCO and various universities participated in the meeting.
Meanwhile, the Air Quality Index (AQI) of the provincial capital deteriorated further as the figures reached 282 here on Thursday. Overall the City observed partly cloudy and hazy conditions and many citizens said they experienced burning of eyes and irritation in the throat while travelling on the road, especially at early hours.
Figures released by the EPD said the AQI monitored through mobile system at 9am at Lahore College for Women University, Jail Road was 282 (Unhealthy), at 12pm, the AQI at the same place was 228 (Unhealthy) and at 3pm, it further came down to (Unhealthy for sensitive groups) while AQI checked through a fixed station at 4pm at Punjab University was 197 (Unhealthy for sensitive groups).
On the other hand, Met officials said continental air was prevailing over most parts of the country. They predicted that mainly dry weather was expected in most parts of the country while partly cloudy in upper and Central parts.
They further predicted that fog/smog was likely to develop in plain areas of Punjab and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa during morning hours. Thursday’s minimum temperature was recorded at Leh where it dropped to -06°C, while in Lahore, it was 13.2°C and maximum was |
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