LAHORE – The government of Punjab is planning to initiate artificial rain as a strategy to combat worsening smog crisis in provincial capital Lahore, which topped world’s most polluted city list.
In this regard, preparations are underway, with experts consulted to ensure the initiative effectively reduces air pollution. In light of the deteriorating air quality, there are also proposals to temporarily close schools, especially given the heightened risks to children’s health.
It was reported that Finance Ministry allocated a budget of Rs350 million for artificial rain project, which will be executed by the departments of environment and meteorology.
Lahore Air Quality Index
Lahore, a city of over 14 million, continues to struggle with severe air pollution, consistently ranking among the most polluted cities in the world.
The average smog level in the metropolis is recorded at 409, with the Air Quality Index (AQI) soaring to 593 in Burki Road, 451 in DHA, and 416 in Thokar Niaz Beg.
World Polluted Cities Today
| City | AQI |
|---|---|
| Lahore, Pakistan | 354 |
| Delhi, India | 243 |
| Manama, Bahrain | 179 |
| Kuwait City, Kuwait | 169 |
| Doha, Qatar | 165 |
| Dhaka, Bangladesh | 162 |
| Kathmandu, Nepal | 153 |
| Kampala, Uganda | 152 |
| Karachi, Pakistan | 149 |
| Kolkata, India | 147 |
| Kinshasa, DRC | 124 |
| Dubai, UAE | 118 |
| Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia | 98 |
| Lima, Peru | 94 |
| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 91 |
| Hanoi, Vietnam | 88 |
| Krasnoyarsk, Russia | 82 |
| Munich, Germany | 80 |
| Mumbai, India | 80 |
| Medan, Indonesia | 77 |
Latest Update on upcoming School Holidays amid worsening smog
