The Karnataka government on Friday, 4 September formally launched a ₹28.52-crore cloud seeding programme to counter a worsening rainfall deficit and avert a potential water crisis across the state. Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy flagged off a specially-equipped aircraft at HAL Airport, Bengaluru, marking the operational start of one of the state's most ambitious weather-modification interventions in recent years.

What Prompted the Move

Minister Cheluvarayaswamy warned that Karnataka had received significantly below-normal rainfall this season and that the state could face a severe drought-like situation in the months ahead. 'The monsoon season will end by the end of this month. If adequate water is not stored by then, there could be a severe shortage extending until the end of next June. At present, it is difficult to accurately assess the extent of the drought,' he said at the launch event.

The minister added that the government's primary motivation was protecting farmers and the broader public, stating: 'Whether there is a loss or a gain, our only intention is that the people of Karnataka should benefit from this project. We are not concerned about the financial burden on the government.'

Programme Details and Cost

The cloud seeding programme has received administrative approval for an estimated cost of ₹28.52 crore, excluding GST. The contract has been awarded to M/s Kyathi Climate Modification Consultants LLP, with an exemption from the provisions of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements (KTPP) Act.

The project is being jointly implemented by the Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Limited (KNNL) under the Water Resources Department and the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC) under the Revenue Department. Two oversight committees have been constituted — a Monitoring Committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, and a Technical Advisory and Evaluation Committee headed by the Director of KSNDMC, comprising eight members, which will update impact data every two hours.

How Cloud Seeding Works

Cloud seeding is a weather modification technique in which chemicals — including silver iodide, potassium iodide, dry ice, and sodium chloride — are introduced into clouds to encourage rainfall formation. Specially equipped aircraft fitted with weather radar and flares fly into or beneath suitable clouds, releasing seeding agents that cause tiny water droplets to combine and grow heavier, increasing the probability of precipitation.

The technical team will continuously monitor atmospheric parameters — including cloud density and wind speed — using Doppler radar. Cumulonimbus clouds with sufficient moisture will be prioritised for seeding operations.

Deployment Strategy

The government has not pre-identified specific districts for operations. Instead, aircraft will be deployed dynamically based on real-time weather data updated every two hours. Priority will be given to areas experiencing rainfall deficits, catchment zones of major reservoirs, and districts under agricultural stress when suitable cloud conditions are detected.

Notably, a previous cloud seeding operation in the state reportedly achieved around 35 per cent success, according to the minister — a benchmark the current programme will be measured against. With Karnataka's reservoir levels and agricultural output both under pressure, the outcome of this initiative will be closely watched in the coming weeks.