Cloud Seeding in Karnataka for Two Monsoon Seasons

Reeling under drought the government of Karnataka is planning for cloud seeding project to influence the upcoming monsoon and capture as much water as possible from the rain clouds. The government of Karnataka has called the tenders for cloud seeding operations to enhance rainfall during the monsoons of 2019 and 2020. The cost is expected to be Rs 50 cr per year.

What is Cloud Seeding?

Cloud Seeding is a process of intervening chemically to induce precipitation rain or snow from clouds. Rain occurs when moisture in the air reaches levels at which it can no longer be held.
Cloud seeding aims to facilitate and accelerate the process by making available chemical ‘nuclei’ for condensation to take place. The agents used as nuclei are iodides of silver or potassium, dry ice (solid carbon dioxide), or liquid propane.

Earlier Efforts of Karnataka

Karnataka had undertaken a similar exercise through Project Varshadhare in 2017. The project was seen as a successful as the data suggested that rainfall was enhanced by 27.9% and there was an extra inflow of 2.5 tmcft into Linganamakki reservoir.  This was a huge success because due to procedural delays and inconsistent monsoon season, the two planes could only fly for 37 days. The results were able to address the scepticism about cloud seeding.

Month: Current Affairs - March, 2019