Rain-starved state may take to cloud seeding
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With a rainfall deficiency of more than 42 per cent during the two monsoon months of June and July, Kerala may have no go but to follow Karnataka for artificial rain. This, even as questions remain on the reliability of the expensive process known as cloud seeding.
“We have not given it a thought so far, hoping the situation will improve, and expecting an above-normal north east monsoon. However, we will talk to atmosphere scientists,” said water resources minister P.J. Joseph.
But the situation appears grim since the monsoon would have a lean phase for the next 10 days, says the former director of the Indian meteorological department, Dr P.V. Joseph.
Karnataka has already set in motion steps to consider cloud seeding. This is an intentional modification of the weather process. Chemicals, mainly dry ice which is solid carbon dioxide or silver iodide or salt, are dispersed into the atmosphere above the clouds using an aircraft. This helps in precipitation.
Scientists said the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology had been undertaking studies on weather modification through cloud-seeding.
It is a costly affair and the expenditure in Karnataka is expected to be around Rs5 crore. Scientists here are slightly skeptical.
According to Dr K. Mohan Kumar of the department of atmospheric sciences, CUSAT, the vital issue is of viability. It has to be seen how successful this experiment can be. There is a risk factor as rain-bearing clouds may also move away, he adds.
Scientists refer to a trial made years ago at Munnar. While heavy rains followed, there is still no scientific clue to prove that it was the result of the weather modification process. This is also the case with Karnataka, they said.
According to Indian Meteorological Department, the rainfall received by the state has been deficient by 42 per cent since June 1. This has led to a massive drop in water levels in dams. Poor inflow into reservoirs, short by more than 1,700 units, could lead to a serious power crisis in the state.
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