The cloud seeding experiment will begin from Monday in the State that is facing deficient monsoon following drought for three years. Though it has been raining in the last few days, the government decided to go ahead with cloud seeding for 300 hours over the next 60 days.
Three radars have been set up in the GKVK campus of University of Agricultural Sciences-Bengaluru, Surpur in Yadgir district and Gadag for executing the ₹35.77-crore project, awarded to a private firm through tender. In addition, two special aircrafts will operate from HAL Airport in Bengaluru and Hubballi airport.
According to a release by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department, the cloud seeding plan has been evolved in a scientific manner in consultations with a monitoring committee and a technical committee.
Clarifying that it is not possible to bring in fresh clouds in drought-hit areas through cloud seeding, the release has referred to studies that state that it is possible to increase rain-yielding capacity of existing clouds by 10% to 15% through such experiment.
The experiment will cover all drought-hit areas, depending on availability of clouds and conducive environment. Panels have been formed to monitor cloud seeding results.