Karnataka to begin ₹27-crore cloud-seeding initiative in a few days
The Karnataka government is launching a ₹27-crore cloud-seeding initiative to combat water scarcity caused by a deficit monsoon. The project aims for a 30% success rate by targeting dense cloud cover across the state over a 60-day period.
Why it matters
As climate change leads to unpredictable rainfall, artificial precipitation is becoming a critical, albeit controversial, tool for state governments to manage water security.
Karnataka, facing deficit monsoon, is set to take up cloud seeding to pre-empt water scarcity. The ₹27-crore initiative is expected to take off in three days with the technical and administrative decks cleared on Tuesday.
According to Major Irrigation Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy, the exercise will comprise 200 flying hours spread over 60 days in areas where there is thick cloud density. The exercise will be undertaken between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m., he noted.
He said September would provide the most optimal window to take up cloud seeding as it would offer dense cloud cover required for seeding. Cloud volume would generally drop significantly by October, he pointed out.
He recalled that Karnataka had previously undertaken cloud-seeding exercise on three occasions. The State had recorded an average success rate ranging between 18% and 20%. However, the proposed initiative was targeting 30% success rate.
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