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.