The Indian Express 10.08.2012
No need for cloud seeding now: Kunte
BMC Municipal Commissioner Sitaram Kunte on Thursday said there might
not be any need to carry out a cloud seeding exercise in the city to
induce rainfall given the present situation. Civic officials said a
technical feasibility report received recently by the civic body from
the Israeli firm Mekorot said it was possible to carry out cloud seeding
over catchment areas of six lakes supplying water to the city.
“Initially, we did feel that rainfall will have to be induced
artificially. But considering the recent events, such as overflowing of
the Modaksagar lake and filling up of up to 75 per cent of the dam
capacity of the Middle Vaitarna project, we do not need to carry out
cloud seeding as of now. A review will be taken on Monday. If a need
arises over the next remaining months of monsoon, we will reconsider,”
said Kunte. He added that the firm’s report is yet to be studied and a
technical go-ahead awaited from Indian Institute of Tropical
Meteorology, Pune.
Despite the failure of the cloud seeding experiment in 2009, the
BMC was forced to consider the exercise following pressure from
corporators.
Cloud seeding is a process by which rain is induced through the
spraying silver iodide crystals into rain clouds to stimulate the
precipitation process. Bangalore-based Agni Aviation carried out the
exercise in 2009 at the cost of Rs 8 crore, but failed to yield
results.
