K'taka to launch 60-day cloud-seeding drive amid widespread rain deficit

Bengaluru, Aug 24: With rainfall deficiency threatening crops and raising concerns over water availability, Karnataka will launch a 60-day cloud-seeding operation across several parts of the state from Monday, August 24, water resources minister N Cheluvarayaswamy said.

Speaking to reporters , the minister said the operation would involve around 200 hours of cloud seeding across different parts of Karnataka at an estimated cost of Rs 28.52 crore.

"Rainfall deficiency has been recorded in 178 taluks across 27 districts. By the end of June, the state had recorded a 42% rainfall deficit, while by the end of July, the deficit stood at 29%. Several taluks are facing drought-like conditions," he said.

Cheluvarayaswamy said sowing had already been completed in several areas and crops risked being completely destroyed if rains failed to arrive soon.

"There was pressure to undertake cloud seeding. After holding meetings with officials and public representatives, the chief minister approved the cloud-seeding operation," he said.

The minister said the exercise was expected to provide relief to farmers and help address drinking water concerns amid the deficient monsoon.

The operations will be carried out through various irrigation corporations within their respective jurisdictions. Karnataka has undertaken cloud-seeding operations several times in the past, but more modern and advanced technology will be deployed this time, he said.

Karnataka’s earlier cloud-seeding exercises

The state had earlier conducted government-backed cloud-seeding operations under ‘Project Varuna’ in 2003 and ‘Varshadhare’ in 2017. Some legislators had also undertaken cloud-seeding operations in their respective districts at their own expense.

Cloud seeding can be carried out only when suitable clouds are present. During the operation, aircraft disperse salts into clouds to increase the concentration of water particles and facilitate rainfall.

Drought decision after month-end

Agriculture minister P M Narendra Swamy said the government would decide on declaring drought after reviewing rainfall and crop conditions until the end of August.

Speaking to reporters, he said the agriculture department had studied the rainfall and crop situation over the past five weeks.

"We will prepare a report containing factual details on the extent of sowing, the extent of crop damage and the prevailing rainfall and crop conditions and submit it to the revenue department," he said.

The revenue department will submit the report, along with the necessary documents, to the central government. A central team will then visit Karnataka to assess the situation, following which a decision on declaring drought will be taken, Narendra Swamy said.