Should Pakistan take a leaf from India's book and try cloud seeding to reduce smog/pollution?

[Ball Blazer]

Delhi is set to witness its first-ever artificial rain through cloud seeding, marking a significant technological milestone in the capital's fight against air pollution. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta announced that preparations have been completed after experts successfully conducted a trial test in the Burari area on Thursday, October 23, 2025. The India Meteorological Department has predicted cloudy conditions on October 28, 29, and 30, with the first artificial rain likely on October 29 if the weather remains favorable.

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that enhances precipitation by dispersing substances like silver iodide or salt particles into clouds. These particles act as nuclei around which water vapor condenses and eventually falls as rain. Two major types exist: hygroscopic cloud seeding (using salt-based particles in warm clouds) and glaciogenic cloud seeding (using silver iodide in supercooled clouds).

The trial seeding flight was conducted from IIT Kanpur to Delhi via Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Bhojpur, and Aligarh. Cloud seeding flares were fired between Khekra and Burari and over the Badli area using pyrotechnical techniques. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that all technical parameters were successful, with aircraft fitment, seeding flare deployment, and coordination between participating agencies now complete.

The materials are deployed from a modified Cessna 206-H aircraft (VT-IIT) stationed in Meerut, with flares mounted on wings that ignite to disperse particles at specific altitudes. The technique only works when target clouds contain at least 50% moisture and are located between 500 and 6,000 meters above ground.

Expected Impact and Limitations
Artificial rain could lower Delhi's Air Quality Index (AQI) by 50-80 points, depending on the spread and intensity. If Delhi's AQI is in the "very poor" category (300-400), successful rain might bring it to "poor" or "moderate" levels by washing out PM2.5 and PM10 particles. However, this effect is temporary, with AQI levels rebounding within days unless core emission sources are tackled. Experts emphasize that cloud seeding offers only short-term relief and should not replace structural reforms addressing traffic, construction dust, industry, and biomass burning.

Cloud Seeding Initiative

The trial seeding flight was conducted from IIT Kanpur to Delhi via Meerut, Khekra, Burari, Sadakpur, Bhojpur, and Aligarh. Cloud seeding flares were fired between Khekra and Burari and over the Badli area using pyrotechnical techniques. Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa confirmed that all technical parameters were successful, with aircraft fitment, seeding flare deployment, and coordination between participating agencies now complete.

Artificial Rain in Delhi: Cloud Seeding Trial Successful; First Rain Expected on October 29 | Outlook India

Delhi is set for its first-ever artificial rain through cloud seeding on October 29, 2025, to combat air pollution, following successful trials in Burari and favorable weather forecasts by the IMD.

www.outlookindia.com

 

[Ball Blazer]

Given Lahore's similar weather conditions as New Delhi, Pakistan can also consider artificial rain

 

[sweep_shot]

I think it is a good strategy. Pakistan should give it a try.

Saudi Arabia does it too I believe.

 

[guard]

Why not take a leaf out of their book and open the economy up, try to attract external investors, setup a professional environment where the nation will prosper together….

Maybe change the chemicals so it induces this instead of looting the IMF war chest..

 

[BouncerGuy]

Punjab revises school timings as smog worsens

The Punjab government has revised school timings starting Monday in response to worsening smog across the province, with daily sessions now beginning at 8:45am.

Lahore has ranked as the world’s most polluted city for the past three days, with air quality plummeting to hazardous levels as smog blanketed the city and the overall Air Quality Index (AQI) hitting 412, prompting health warnings and a province-wide crackdown on pollution sources.

The Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) issued a high alert across the eastern districts of the province, including Lahore, Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Kasur, Nankana Sahib, Faisalabad, Multan, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan and Khanpur. According to Director General PDMA Irfan Ali Kathia, the intensity of smog is expected to increase from November to mid-December, citing forecasts from the Meteorological Department.

The announcement was made by Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat on his X account, in light of the current smog situation.

“Winter school timing — 8:45am to 1:30pm”, the minister announced.

Separately, commenting on the smog situation, Punjab Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said during a media briefing that the province now had a comprehensive digital and AI-based forecasting system in place.

She said it had been developed using data from previous years, adding that it was accessible to the public through the air quality portal and was released a day in advance by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Reflecting on opinions regarding the smog situation, she said, “First of all, all those who have suddenly become environmental experts these days and issue reports or make statements as they please, I want to clarify that smog is a seasonal phenomenon.”

She said the seasons last for only three months, when the easterly corridor from east to west causes temperature inversions and cold air forms a lid over the atmosphere.

“Within that lid, particulate pollutants become trapped because the air above is cold. That lid, together with atmospheric pressure, creates a haze that we call smog,” she explained.

Marriyum emphasised that the people of Lahore and Punjab must realise that “it cannot be that yesterday the AQI was 160 and today, because of local pollutants, it has suddenly jumped to 380.”

She explained that it is common for pollution levels to rise early in the morning due to colder temperatures, but as the day warms and upper-air conditions shift, the air becomes denser and “particulate matter starts to disperse.”

The minister said that smog guns were being used only as an artificial and temporary measure.

“Previously, smog was managed during the season by shutting schools, restaurants and imposing lockdown-style restrictions. But for the first time, we are not only managing smog in the season without resorting to closures; we are also improving Lahore’s Air Quality Index,” she added.

Marriyum said the government’s work extended beyond the smog season. “We are not only active during these three months,” she said, “but carrying out smog mitigation efforts throughout the year.”


DAWN NEWS

 

[Devadwal]

Waste of money. They tried in Rajasthan to fill the Ramgarh dam ( near Jaipur ) but Ramgarh dam is still empty .

 

[DeadlyVenom]

I'm not sure how effective will be but at least will give India some credit in trying something new.

Lahore is getting worse and worse. Problem is exacerbated by lack of regulations and cheap fuels being used.

 

[Devadwal]

Living in Delhi is literally like living in a Gas chamber.

Till the public does not demand clean air, clean water, unadulterated food. Wide footpaths, dedicated cycle lanes, encroachment free areas, limit on hoardings- nothing is going to change.

Every government should have a mid-term progress review and if 50% of the promises are not met, then re-elections should be done with the sitting candidates already debarred from running in elections as promises have not been fulfilled.
This is the only way.

 

[hassan918]

It doesn't look like either country have found a solid solution to tackle this issue as the situation is getting worse each year. I can definitely say this with confidence about Lahore and I think people from Delhi would also agree on this.