Meteorologists and senior officials on Wednesday cast doubts on the veracity of the government’s plan to kickstart cloud seeding operations around the end of September at a cost of ₹ 28.52 crore to balance out the state’s rainfall deficit. Experts cited prevailing meteorological conditions to recommend the exercise’s deferment to October, arguing that the atmosphere currently lacks the clouds and moisture needed for the operation.
The state is nevertheless moving ahead with preparations. “We have to see how effective it will be. The government’s decision comes against a backdrop of rainfall shortages across Karnataka. The technical assessment was discussed at a meeting attended by representatives of the IMD, KSNDMC, Indian Institute of Science, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Karnataka Irrigation Corporation Limited, water resources department and rural development and panchayat raj department. Retired experts and meteorologists also took part. A monsoon depression near the Western Ghats has been supporting rainfall over coastal and north Karnataka, while interior and south interior parts of the state continue to receive deficient rainfall.
KSNDMC has identified 178 taluks in 27 districts as facing drought conditions.
Deputy chief minister G Parameshwara said the technical team had begun preparations after the government issued orders for the exercise. It may not result in heavy rainfall, but could bring light showers, according to the technical assessment. The experts have said that even such rainfall could help the crops. Based on this, we have agreed to go ahead with the exercise,” he said. An IMD official said the systems over the Arabian Sea were weaker than those over the Bay of Bengal.
