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BENGALURU: Facing a 31% rainfall deficit this monsoon with 175 of the state’s 240 taluks affected, Karnataka govt has decided to launch cloud seeding to head off a possible water shortage. Previous efforts, in 2003 and 2017, recorded an average success rate of 18-20%, with the first attempt showing limited results.
Cheluvarayaswamy said the decision was taken to “tackle the prevailing rainfall deficit and pre-empt possible water scarcity across the state”. “This time, we are aiming for 30% success rate,” Cheluvarayaswamy said. The govt is likely to bypass the tendering process by seeking a 4G exemption under the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement Act.
The contract is learnt to have gone to Kyathi Climate Modification Consultants, a firm previously headed by Ranebennur Congress MLA Prakash Koliwad.
Krishi PK, managing director of Kyathi, said cloud-seeding technology has a proven record of enhancing rainfall by 20-46%, citing scientific papers. She said the company had generated as much as 7.5 TMC of additional water in 2017 during Operation Varshadhare, carried out in select districts of north Karnataka. A technical committee of domain experts and scientists from IISc, IIT and the IMD will track meteorological parameters and radar data, while a separate field committee will oversee daily flight sorties, dispersal protocols and assess the impact on ground-level rainfall. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru