Bengaluru: Karnataka will launch a 60-day cloud-seeding operation across several parts of the state from Monday, August 24, in an effort to address rainfall deficiency, protect crops and ease concerns over water availability.

Water Resources Minister N Cheluvarayaswamy said the operation would involve around 200 hours of cloud seeding and is expected to cost Rs 28.52 crore. The initiative comes at a time when rainfall deficiency has affected large parts of Karnataka and several taluks are facing drought-like conditions.

The government expects the operation to provide some relief to farmers whose crops are at risk due to inadequate rainfall, while also helping address drinking water concerns in areas affected by the deficient monsoon.

Rainfall deficit reported across 178 taluks

Cheluvarayaswamy said rainfall deficiency has been recorded in 178 taluks spread across 27 districts.

According to the minister, Karnataka had recorded a 42% rainfall deficit by the end of June. The deficit improved to 29% by the end of July, but several areas continued to face serious water shortages and inadequate rainfall.

The situation has become particularly concerning for farmers who have already completed sowing in several parts of the state.

Cheluvarayaswamy said crops could face extensive damage if adequate rainfall does not arrive soon. With sowing already completed in many areas, the government is looking at cloud seeding as one of the measures that could provide additional rainfall when suitable atmospheric conditions exist.

Cloud seeding to continue for 60 days

The proposed operation will continue for 60 days and involve around 200 hours of cloud-seeding activity.

The operation will be undertaken through various irrigation corporations, with each corporation carrying out the activity within its respective jurisdiction.

Cheluvarayaswamy said the government decided to proceed with cloud seeding following discussions with officials and public representatives.

“There was pressure to undertake cloud seeding. After holding meetings with officials and public representatives, the chief minister approved the cloud-seeding operation,” he said.

The minister added that more modern and advanced technology would be used during the latest operation compared with some of the state’s earlier cloud-seeding initiatives.

How cloud seeding works

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique that can be used only when suitable clouds are available.

During the process, aircraft disperse suitable seeding agents, including salts, into clouds. These particles can encourage the formation and growth of water droplets or ice particles under favourable atmospheric conditions, potentially increasing rainfall.

However, cloud seeding cannot create rain in the absence of suitable clouds. Its effectiveness depends on atmospheric conditions, cloud characteristics and other meteorological factors.

The Karnataka government is therefore planning to use the technique as an additional measure rather than as a substitute for normal monsoon rainfall.

Karnataka has used cloud seeding before

Karnataka has undertaken government-backed cloud-seeding exercises in the past.

The state conducted ‘Project Varuna’ in 2003 and another initiative called ‘Varshadhare’ in 2017.

Some legislators have also undertaken cloud-seeding operations at their own expense in their respective districts.

The latest initiative, however, comes at a time when rainfall deficiency has raised concerns across a significant portion of the state.

The government hopes that the use of updated technology and a coordinated operation across different irrigation jurisdictions will help maximise the potential benefits of cloud seeding.

Farmers face crop damage concerns

The rainfall shortage has become a major concern for farmers, particularly those who have already sown their crops.

Cheluvarayaswamy said crops could be completely damaged in some areas if rains fail to arrive soon.

The government is therefore attempting to provide support through multiple measures, with cloud seeding being one of the interventions being pursued.

The minister said the operation could also help address drinking water concerns in areas where reservoirs, tanks and other water sources have come under pressure because of inadequate rainfall.

The effectiveness of the exercise, however, will depend on the availability of suitable clouds during the 60-day period.

Drought decision after August review

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government is also assessing whether the prevailing conditions warrant an official drought declaration.

Agriculture Minister P M Narendra Swamy said the government would wait until the end of August before taking a decision.

He said the Agriculture Department had reviewed rainfall and crop conditions over the preceding five weeks.

The department will prepare a report containing details of the area covered by sowing, the extent of crop damage and prevailing rainfall and crop conditions.

The report will then be submitted to the Revenue Department.

Central team to assess situation

The Revenue Department is expected to forward the report and supporting documents to the Central Government.

Following this, a central team will visit Karnataka to assess the ground situation.

The final decision on whether to declare drought will be taken after the assessment process, Narendra Swamy said.

The government is therefore monitoring both rainfall patterns and crop conditions before making a formal decision.

The coming weeks will be important for Karnataka’s agricultural sector, particularly in areas where crops are dependent on continued rainfall.

With the cloud-seeding programme now beginning, the state government is hoping that favourable cloud conditions will allow the operation to provide relief to farmers and improve water availability. At the same time, the drought assessment process will continue through the end of August.