EPCCD directs cloud seeding for pollution control to address extreme AQI levels in Multan, Pakistan
Marriyum Aurangzeb, the Senior Minister of Punjab, instructed an investigation into cloud seeding options in Multan after the air quality index (AQI) reached an extreme 2 175 on November 8, 2024. The rise in air pollution is a year-round epidemic that requires frequent interventions, EPCCD noted.
Image credit: EUMETSAT/Meteosat, Zoom Earth, The Watchers. Acquired at 10:37 UTC on November 10, 2024
The air quality index (AQI) readings climbed to 1 914 in Multan, Pakistan, early on Saturday, November 9. This marked the city’s second consecutive day as the “most polluted” in the world.
The highest AQI on November 8 reached a level of 2 266, with PM2.5 concentrations at 1 212.0 µg/m³ at 21:00 LT (16:00 UTC). These readings indicate an extreme level of air pollution, with numbers significantly surpassing hazardous thresholds.
Typically, AQI levels above 300 already represent a critical health risk, while readings over 500 mark extremely dangerous conditions. Multan’s values of 1 914 and 2 266 represent a severe, almost unprecedented level of air quality degradation, which poses acute health risks to all exposed populations, especially vulnerable groups.
The PM2.5 concentration recorded at 1 212 µg/m³—far above the recommended World Health Organization (WHO) limit of 15 µg/m³ for 24-hour exposure—indicates extremely fine particulate matter in the air. At these levels, immediate health effects are expected for the general population, and prolonged exposure can lead to long-term respiratory, cardiovascular, and even neurological complications.
The AQI levels decreased on Sunday, November 10 to a reading of 609, leaving the air quality still dangerous. PM2.5 concentrations reached 241.9 µg/m³ at 18:00 PKT (13:00 UTC), a level 48.4 times higher than the WHO-recommended safe limit.
Lahore and Punjab also faced similar air pollution levels, but not as severe as Multan.
Aurangzeb instructed Raja Jahangir Anwar, the Secretary of Punjab’s Environment Protection and Climate Change Department (EPCCD), to investigate the options for cloud seeding in Multan.
The EPCCD launched “SMOG Mitigation Model 2.0” action plan, in July, to prepare for the severely impacted months of October, yet the situation persisted.
“We needed a joint action plan and collaboration from multiple sectors. The smog mitigation plan has been institutionalized within the Planning and Development Department of Punjab,” Aurangzeb stated.
Cloud seeding, now being explored as a response measure, could help reduce AQI temporarily by encouraging rainfall. Rain can help clear airborne pollutants, including fine particulate matter such as PM2.5, which is a major contributor to smog. By inducing precipitation, cloud seeding may reduce the concentration of these particles, improving visibility and providing short-term relief to residents.
This process, however, serves as a temporary solution and is ideally paired with long-term strategies to reduce emissions from vehicles, industries, and agricultural burning.
The plan is aimed to use a multi-sectoral approach, leading to a crackdown on violators of environmental regulations. EPCCD believes that the rise in AQI is a year-round epidemic that requires frequent interventions.
The cause of the pollution includes factors beyond smoke-emitting vehicles, like conventional brick kilns, stubble burning, smoke-emitting vehicles, hazardous gasses from industries, and individuals burning garbage or rubber. It increases air pollution, especially, during winter when smog worsens due to seasonal weather patterns and increased emissions.
Anwar ordered several control measures, which included regulating both light and heavy traffic in Lahore, enforcing shop and market closures by 15:00 UTC (20:00 PKT). All trade was stopped on November 10, by closing major motorways, including M1, M2, M3, M4, and M5. Lahore-Sialkot Motorway was also restricted to control traffic.
To manage the health risks, mandatory mask-wearing practice has been monitored. It is mandated that offices in these provinces will only operate for half a day until any further notice, to reduce outdoor exposures.
The Smog Steering Committee, chaired by Aurangzeb, decided to submit a “Smog Dossier” to the Lahore High Court. It is a document outlining the government’s planned smog mitigation measures.
References
1 Multan remains most polluted city in Pakistan – DAWN – November 10, 2024
2 Pakistan chokes with alarming levels of pollution as AQI crosses 2100; Multan under lockdown – The Times Of India – November 9, 2024
3 Air quality near WWF-Pakistan Multan Office, Multan – IQAir – November 10, 2024
4 Worst air quality persists in Lahore with 708 AQI – DAWN – October 29, 2024
5 Punjab rolls out anti-smog strategy – The Express Tribune – July 9, 2024
6 Punjab govt to treat smog as ‘year-round epidemic’ – DAWN – July 8, 2024
Rishika holds a Master’s in International Studies from Stella Maris College, Chennai, India, where she earned a gold medal, and an MCA from the University of Mysore, Karnataka, India. Previously, she served as a Research Assistant at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, India. During her tenure, she contributed as a Junior Writer for Europe Monitor on the Global Politics website and as an Assistant Editor for The World This Week. Her work has also been published in The Hindu newspaper, showing her expertise in global affairs. Rishika is also a recipient of the Women Empowerment Award at the district level in Haryana, India, in 2022.
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