The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Cloud-seeding from the ground under study

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Monday, Aug 11, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Cloud-seeding from the ground under study

Nagesh Prabhu

It is likely to be taken up on an experimental basis from Agumbe

In China, cloud-seeding is taken up from the ground
Eighty-four taluks have received less than normal rainfall

BANGALORE: The State Government is exploring the option of cloud-seeding from the ground using ground-to-air rockets.

Unlike the previous exercises which were conducted using an aircraft, the Government has now proposed to take up cloud-seeding from the ground. In fact, in China cloud-seeding is taken up from the ground.

An official in the Government told The Hindu that the exercise would start, on an experimental basis, from the Western Ghats, possibly from Agumbe in Shimoga district. Agumbe is an ideal location for cloud-seeding from the ground level as the Linganamakki Reservoir, built across Sharavati River, is also in Shimoga district.

If the experiment succeeds, it will help increase the water level at the reservoir.

The matter has been discussed at length in the Cabinet as well as the Cabinet sub-committee meeting on drought, presided by Revenue Minister G. Karunakara Reddy. A few days ago, the State Cabinet decided to take up cloud-seeding in the catchment areas of the State by using an aircraft.

The S.M. Krishna Government took up cloud-seeding when the State faced three consecutive droughts from 2001. But it was not successful.

The official said clouds could be seeded with the help of aircraft that drop pyrotechnics, or from the ground by using ground-to-air rockets. But cloud-seeding from the ground is cheaper.

It would cost about Rs. 1.4 crore against Rs. 27 crore to Rs. 30 crore by using aircraft. “Geographically, Karnataka is suitably located for cloud-seeding from the ground,” the official said.

Further, cloud-seeding through a single aircraft was not possible at all places in the State.

In other countries, the success rate of cloud-seeding using aircraft was low compared to that done from the ground. If the experiment succeeded in Agumbe, it would be experimented at other places, the official said.

Due to lack of favourable conditions, there has not been much rainfall in the State.

Eighty-four taluks have received less than normal rainfall, and they have been declared drought-hit.

Owing to deficient rainfall, kharif sowing has taken place only on 40 lakh hectares against the targeted 74 lakh hectares.

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