Cloud seeding programme to be taken up at a cost of Rs. 28.52 crore for 60 days

Bengaluru: Following the deficit in monsoon rainfall, the Karnataka Government has approved an emergency cloud seeding programme at a cost of Rs. 28.52 crore.

The cloud seeding will be taken up for the next 60 days for 200 hours starting from tomorrow (Aug. 24). State Government has decided to prioritise those places which have faced severe deficit in rainfall, said Minister for Water Resources Cheluvarayaswamy.

The decision was taken during the Cabinet meeting headed by Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar to address the issue through scientific and technical methods.

“Except for a few places like Mumbai-Karnataka, Coastal and Malnad regions, the other regions have suffered nearly 50-60 percent deficit in rainfall. Crops have dried in many regions and if similar situation prevails for the next few days, there are chances of facing shortage of drinking water and fodder for the cattle. Considering all these factors, the State Government has decided on cloud seeding,” he added.

Cheluvarayaswamy also mentioned that the State Government would make use of the latest technology for cloud seeding. “Since the Cauvery Niravari Nigam Limited (CNNL) does not have experts on cloud seeding, the responsibility has been handed over to Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre while the CNNL will be in-charge of non-technical matters including the payment of bills among others.”