Yahoo News Pollution is so bad in South Korea the government hopes to use ‘artificial rain’ to clear the air
Grey skies and air thick with fine dust have raised alarm in South Korea’s capital Seoul – with locals likening the scene to the film ‘Wall-E’.
Levels of fine dust pollution have hit up to 180 microgrammes per cubic metre in Seoul, around four times the level the World Health Organisation considers safe.
The dust has prompted locals to wear masks and the government to limit the operation of coal power stations and reduce the number of cars on the roads.
South Korean President Moon Jae-in has proposed a joint project with China to use artificial rain to clear the toxic dust from the air.
Read More
Blind man asked to leave shopping centre because of his guide dog
Norwegian woman films avalanche crashing towards house
Pub offers ‘cheapest Sunday roast in the country’ for just £1
On Wednesday afternoon, the fine dust concentration level was 136 microgrammes per cubic metre in Seoul, according to the National Institute of Environmental Research, which defines levels above 75 microgrammes as “very bad”.
Na Kyung-won, of the conservative Liberty Korea Party, called for Mr Moon to designate the air pollution as a national disaster.
Ruling and opposition parties held an emergency meeting and agreed to swiftly pass bills to tackle the problem.
In a meeting with government officials, Mr Moon noted that China was “much more advanced” than South Korea in rain-making technologies and expressed hope that creating rain over water between the countries would help mitigate the air pollution, Mr Kim said.
Artificial rain would be generated over the Yellow Sea, using chemicals to ‘seed’ clouds and make them rain.
President Moon also instructed government officials to accelerate plans to retire coal-fired power stations and introduce air purifiers in schools.
