Authorities weigh artificial rain

LAHORE BUREAU —Provincial.authorities are considering to attempt cloud seeding as a rain-bearing system approaches Lahore and adoining region, raising the possibility of using weather modification technology to obtain temporary relief from the worsening smog. According to sources, cloud seeding can be done on early Friday morning if atmospheric conditions remain suitable.

The proposed timing is linked to the availability of moisture in clouds and other favourable conditions. However. the final decision, participating agencies and targeted locations had yet to be confirmed till the evening. "Authorities that had been involved in the eslarlier artificial rain in Lahore held meetings in which repreesentatives of all climate change departments and experts were present and a startegy for artificial rain was discussed.

In the current smog season, suitable weather for cloud seeding has emerged for thr first time till Friday morning and the authorities are likely to do the maiden artificial rain exporiment of the sesson," an official said, adding that all the technology required for the purpose was available. Temperature is a particularly important factor in cloud seeding.

Previous artificial rain operations were conducted in daylight. However, the temperature of rain bearing clouds needs to be below freezing for suitable conditions to develop.