The Times of India   28.08.2012

BMC mulls cloud seeding through alternative process

The high cost of plane sorties and need for multiple clearances from Central and state agencies seem to have prompted the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to consider undertaking cloud seeding using an alternative process.

In conventional cloud seeding, plane sorties are carried out to spread either dry ice or more commonly silver iodide aerosols into the upper part of clouds to try and stimulate the precipitation process and form rain.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Aseem Gupta said, “The alternative method is less expensive and can be done by engineers from the BMC instead of approaching outside agencies for the same.” It is not just cost escalation, but the lack of clarity on the success of the cloud seeding experiment which is making the civic administration think twice about using an aircraft for cloud seeding.

“We are in two minds about conducting the cloud seeding by an aircraft as the method is not only expensive but there is no way to understand whether the experiment will be a success or not. One needs to at least have a method where we can establish that the cloud seeding experiment has resulted in a certain amount of rainfall. We will further discuss about the modalities of the method with experts from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and take the final decision,” said Gupta.

Meanwhile, the civic administration is also planning to grant the project of cloud seeding using aircraft to another agency instead of the Israel’s national water company, Mekorot, which is helping it conduct the project.

 “We are planning to approach the Karnataka government which already invited tenders from private companies to conduct a cloud seeding experiment in their state. We can use the same company which they have appointed for conducting the cloud seeding experiment,” said Gupta.

A proposal for cloud seeding was made in July this year by the Karnataka Chief Minister. A technical feasibility report from the IITM has been sought and a budgetary allocation of Rs 5 crore for a pilot project has been made by the Karnataka government. The tender would be floated by the state irrigation department as the Zilla Parishad does not have the expertise for such initiatives, said a senior Karnatka government official.