Karnataka to begin ₹27-crore cloud-seeding initiative in a few days
The initiative comprises 200 flying hours spread across 60 days
Karnataka, grappling with a water scarcity crisis due to a deficit monsoon, is set to launch a ₹27-crore cloud-seeding initiative in the coming days. The technical and administrative preparations for the project were completed on Tuesday, paving the way for its commencement. Major Irrigation Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy revealed that the operation will involve 200 flying hours over 60 days, focusing on regions with dense cloud cover.
The seeding flights are scheduled to take place between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., with September deemed the optimal time for the initiative due to the expected dense cloud cover. Cheluvarayaswamy noted that cloud volume tends to decrease significantly by October. The state has previously conducted cloud-seeding exercises three times, achieving an average success rate of 18% to 20%.
However, the new plan aims for a 30% success rate. The cloud-seeding flights will target all four revenue divisions of the state, with the goal of inducing precipitation within a 15-km radius of the seeded area. The flights will be dynamically routed based on real-time cloud density and atmospheric conditions. Despite some rainfall occurring in different parts of the state, the weather forecast indicates a lack of sustained, continuous monsoon activity, prompting the need for artificial precipitation measures to prevent water crises.
A separate committee has been established to oversee the execution of the project, including a monitoring committee, a technical committee, and a field operation and evaluation committee.
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