Karnataka to launch cloud seeding in 2 days to fight rainfall deficit
Synopsis
Karnataka is deploying cloud seeding for the fourth time in its history — and this time the stakes are higher. With a ₹27 crore, 60-day operation launching within days, the government is racing against a narrowing cloud window before October thins cover. A 30% success rate, up from the historical 18–20%, is the threshold officials say would make the effort worthwhile.
Key Takeaways
Karnataka plans to launch cloud seeding operations within two days of 25 August 2025 to combat a rainfall deficit.
The programme will cost approximately ₹27 crore , run for 60 days , and cover around 200 flying hours .
Three committees — Monitoring, Technical, and Field Operations — are being constituted by Tuesday evening , with IIT , IISc , and IMD experts on the Technical Committee.
Karnataka's previous cloud seeding efforts had a success rate of 18–20% ; the government targets 30% this time.
Rainfall effect is expected within a 15-km radius of each operation; seeding will depend on cloud availability across four revenue divisions.
September is seen as the optimal window; cloud cover is expected to thin in October .
The Karnataka government is set to launch cloud seeding operations within the next two days to counter a worsening rainfall deficit across the state, Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy announced on Tuesday, 25 August. Speaking at a press conference at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru, the minister said the Water Resources Department would lead the effort across all four revenue divisions of the state.
Three Committees to Oversee the Programme
The government is constituting three oversight bodies by Tuesday evening: a Monitoring Committee, a Technical Committee, and a Field Operations and Evaluation Committee. The Additional Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department will head the Monitoring Committee, while experts from IIT, IISc, and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) will serve on the Technical Committee.
Cheluvarayaswamy said two preparatory meetings had already been held and department secretaries had been directed to expedite the rollout. MLA Prakash Koliwad and officials from the IMD and the Water Resources Department were present at the meeting.
Scale, Cost, and Expected Success Rate
The programme is estimated to cost approximately ₹27 crore and will run for 60 days, covering around 200 flying hours. Daily operations are scheduled from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Rainfall impact is expected within a 15-km radius of each seeding operation, though the minister noted that operations can only proceed when suitable clouds are present.
Karnataka has undertaken cloud seeding three times previously, with a historical success rate of 18 to 20 per cent. 'If we achieve a success rate of 30 per cent, the entire programme will be worthwhile,' Cheluvarayaswamy said. He added that September is expected to offer the highest density of suitable clouds, making the current window particularly critical for operations.
Why the Government Is Acting Now
The minister warned that the ongoing rainfall deficit could trigger water scarcity in the coming months, with forecasts suggesting that even expected rainfall may not be continuous. 'People expect the government to bring relief from the rainfall deficit. It is the government's responsibility to meet these expectations,' he said.
Notably, cloud cover is projected to decline in October, which further narrows the operational window and underpins the urgency of launching within days rather than weeks. This is the fourth time Karnataka has turned to cloud seeding as a drought-mitigation tool.
Broader Relief Measures
Beyond cloud seeding, the government is also taking steps to fill lakes and ponds and support cultivation in dryland areas. Cheluvarayaswamy said the administration is simultaneously preparing for the coming summer season, with ensuring drinking water for people and livestock cited as the top priority. The government has indicated it is prepared to bear the full financial burden of the programme.
Point of View
Not a guarantee — and Karnataka's own track record of 18–20% success underlines that. The government's target of 30% is aspirational, and the ₹27 crore outlay will be scrutinised if the monsoon simply refuses to cooperate. What the announcement does signal, however, is that the state is treating the rainfall deficit as a governance emergency rather than a seasonal inconvenience. The real test will be whether the three-committee structure produces swift field decisions or bureaucratic delay — because the cloud window will not wait.
NationPress
25 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Karnataka's cloud seeding programme?
It is a state-led weather intervention initiative in which the Water Resources Department will seed clouds across Karnataka's four revenue divisions to artificially induce rainfall and address a worsening deficit. The ₹27 crore programme is planned for 60 days, covering approximately 200 flying hours, with daily operations from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
When will Karnataka's cloud seeding operations begin?
The Water Resources Department is expected to launch operations within two days of 25 August 2025, according to Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy. Three oversight committees are being constituted by Tuesday evening to guide and evaluate the programme.
How effective has cloud seeding been in Karnataka before?
Karnataka has conducted cloud seeding three times previously, with a historical success rate of 18 to 20 per cent. The government has set a target of 30 per cent for the current round, which officials say would make the programme worthwhile.
Which areas will benefit from cloud seeding, and what are the limitations?
Rainfall is expected within a 15-km radius of each seeding operation. However, operations can only be conducted when suitable clouds are present, meaning results will depend on cloud availability across the state. September is considered the optimal month; cloud cover is expected to decline in October.
Why is Karnataka undertaking cloud seeding now?
The state is facing a significant rainfall deficit that could lead to water scarcity in the coming months. Forecasts suggest that even expected rainfall may not be continuous, prompting the government to act during the current window when dense clouds are more likely to be present.
