UAE King Air Performs Cloud Seeding Flight to Create First Artificial Rain in Lahore

[Abbas Ali]

On December 16, United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Center of Meteorology (NCM) Beech C90GTi King Air (aircraft serial 835) performed cloud seeding flight from Lahore Airport to successfully create first artificial rain over parts of Lahore to reduce smog/air pollution affecting the city in winter. The aircraft on first flight released 48 cloud seeding flares. A total of two flights were performed on December 16.



It's the first artificial rain created in Pakistan.

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

Path of two cloud seeding flights performed by United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Center of Meteorology (NCM) Beech C90GTi King Air (previously registered in USA as N6393U) over & around Lahore from & to Lahore Airport on December 16.

First flight performed around 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM. Maximum altitude gained by the aircraft 8,000 feet.


Source: flightradar24.com

59-minute duration second flight performed from 3:41 PM to 4:40 PM. Maximum altitude gained by the aircraft 8,000 feet.


Source: flightradar24.com

Abbas

[arshad.altaf]

Thanks, Abbas, for sharing this news.

It is unclear if it resulted in creating any rain, which also reduced the smog.

I remember a very old department in Karachi had old planes at the airport for this and some other purposes.

Regards,
Arshad

[Abbas Ali]

Thank you Arshad.

Traces of rain/drizzle were reported in various parts of Lahore on December 16.


PTV News

Abbas

[contrails]

Department of plant protection is / was fully capable of this. I wonder why they weren't taken onboard.

[Abbas Ali]

Few weeks ago, Government of Punjab officials did hold talks with Department of Plant Protection (Aerial Wing) officials in Lahore for cloud seeding flights to create artificial rain. However, Department of Plant Protection officials informed that their aircraft are too small and not airworthy to perform cloud seeding flights. The Government of Punjab was informed that larger twin-engine aircraft are suitable for cloud seeding flights.


Department of Plant Protection (Aerial Wing), Government of Pakistan, Cessna A185F.


Daily Express (December 5, 2023, edition)


Department of Plant Protection (Aerial Wing), Government of Pakistan, Fletcher FU-24.

Abbas

[inducedrag]

Department of plant protection is / was fully capable of this. I wonder why they weren't taken onboard.

That would have been made in pakistan

[arshad.altaf]

Thank you everyone for the updates.

From the pictures, it is evident that these aircraft can only fly after a "kaala bakra" sadaqa.

Very best,
Arshad

[contrails]

I think Kala Bakras would have flown these.

Didnt know these airplanes were good for scrap only.

[Abbas Ali]

Government of Punjab caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi has said that because of suitable atmospheric conditions expected in January, artificial rainfall could once again be employed to bring further reduction in smog levels in Lahore.

Naqvi said this during a meeting with Ahmed Al-Kamal, head of the cloud-seeding team from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) meteorology department Chief Pilot Michael Anstis and pilot Col. Ubaid, at his office on January 2.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1802717

[Tuti Fruiti]

UAE is testing this technology potential in Pakistan.
and Pakistan is happy it is getting free rain and not investing a rupee on tackling smoke.

UAE is totally ok from their perspective and this technology is not dangerous as such.

the unfortunate part on part of Pakistan is its non-seriousness to combat this menace & looking for FREE alternatives rather than spending its own resources... Lahore may have big shopping malls and is heart of Pakistan but its totally unlivable for 3,4 months of year... im sure overtime ppl will escape Lahore and may be already escaping Lahore due to smog as lung diseases rise

[Abbas Ali]

On January 15, United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Center of Meteorology (NCM) Beech C90GTi King Air returned to UAE from Lahore via Karachi.



Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi met members of the UAE team and thanked them for creating first artificial rain in Lahore. The meeting was informed that efforts were being made to create artificial rain in Lahore since past 12 years.

The UAE team members received shields and appreciation certificates from the Government of Punjab.

Second attempt to create artificial rain in Lahore was not made by the UAE team due to unfavourable weather conditions. The UAE team stayed in Lahore for two months.







United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Center of Meteorology (NCM) Beech C90GTi King Air departure from Lahore on January 15.


Source: flightradar24.com

United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Center of Meteorology (NCM) Beech C90GTi King Air departure from Karachi on January 15.


Source: flightradar24.com

United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Center of Meteorology (NCM) Beech C90GTi King Air entering UAE airspace on January 15.


Source: flightradar24.com

Abbas

[Abbas Ali]

City 42

Provision of Jet A-1 Fuel to United Arab Emirates (UAE) Government Aircraft

United Arab Emirates (UAE) National Center of Meteorology (NCM) Beech C90GTi King Air (aircraft serial 835) was arranged by the Government of Punjab for cloud seeding as an effort to mitigate vital situation of smog in Lahore. The aircraft was parked in Government of Punjab VIP Flight (fixed wing) Government of Punjab Services & General Administration Department (S&GAD) hangar in Lahore till January 15, 2024.

The aircraft completed two flights and was refueled by Pakistan State Oil (PSO). The refueling was made from already maintained PSO advance payment account of S&GAD, Government of Punjab.

PSO sent following bills:

1.
Refueling Date: December 8, 2023
Jet A-1 Fuel Quantity: 716 Liters
Amount: PKR 203,072

2.
Refueling Date: December 16, 2023
Jet A-1 Fuel Quantity: 772 Liters
Amount: PKR 223,386

Total: PKR 426,458

Abbas