A lidar station set up at the University of Peshawar can provide atmospheric clouds, aerosols, temperature, humidity and other data concerning the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) area, and facilitate research on climate change, pollution and sand storm.
The station was put into use in Peshawar, Pakistan earlier this month for climate observation under a Belt and Road project jointly undertaken by Chinese and Pakistani universities, according to People Daily.
Jointly built by the two universities, the station is the most advanced climate and environment observation station in Pakistan, according to Huang Zhongwei, a professor with the Lanzhou University based in northwest China Gansu province. The Peshawar station is part of a lidar network that also includes eight stations in northwest China’s Gansu Province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Combining the lidar network and weather satellites, scientists have built a regional comprehensive weather monitoring system, which will help them build a high-quality database, develop a weather disaster warning system and meet the needs in building new energy, transportation and other key infrastructure, according to Huang.Preparation to build the station started as early as in 2018. Key equipment provided by Chinese side were sent to Pakistan last year.
