Mysuru: Cloud formation in the month of August is really good. Hence, the State Government has decided to go ahead with cloud seeding from Aug. 13 (Sunday), said Organic Farming Research Station, Naganahalli Nodal Officer Dr. C. Govindarajau. Cloud-seeding planes have arrived at Varuna for the task.

Speaking to Star of Mysore here this morning, Dr. Govindaraju said, the city had experienced 20 mm rainfall last night and the rains are likely to continue for another three days.

Even if it rains well, the government has decided to go ahead with cloud seeding as there is 100 mm rainfall deficit this year from January, he said.

The Chief Minister has released water for drinking and livestock but not water for paddy and sugarcane. However, it could be released for irrigating crops that are less water intensive like ragi and millets, said Dr. Govindaraju. The varieties of Ragi like KMR (Karnataka Mandya Ragi) 340, KMR 204, KMR 175 can be sown as they do not consume much water, he said.

The Hoysala Projects Pvt.Ltd. has bagged the Rs. 35.77 crore project for cloud seeding. This will be taken up over 60 days and will be done using three radars that will be set up in Bengaluru, Surapur and Gadag. Two aircraft will be used in Bengaluru and  Hubballi.

Meanwhile, the Organic Farming Research Station, Naganahalli, which is celebrating its centenary has always kept it a low key affair. They have now plans to celebrate the valedictory in a big way, said Dr. Govindaraju.