Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Karnataka Launches Rs 28.5-Crore Cloud Seeding Drive Amid Drought
Karnataka has not received enough rain this year.
The state is worried that people and farmers may face water shortages.
It has started a cloud-seeding project costing about Rs 28.52 crore.
A special aircraft will spray chemicals into certain clouds.
The chemicals are meant to help tiny water drops join together and fall as rain.
Scientists will use radar and weather information to choose the clouds.
The aircraft may work in different areas instead of following a fixed district list.
Officials say an earlier cloud-seeding effort was 35 per cent successful.
Karnataka launched a Rs 28.52-crore cloud-seeding programme to address rainfall deficits and potential drought.
Water Resources Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy flagged off the specially equipped aircraft at Bengaluru’s HAL Airport.
The project will be jointly implemented by Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd and the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre.
Technical teams will use Doppler radar and weather data to identify suitable clouds and target rain-deficit areas, reservoir catchments and agricultural crisis zones.
Karnataka has declared 101 talukas drought-affected, while a special Assembly session on the situation is scheduled for September 21–23.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, led for this project by Water Resources Minister N Chaluvarayaswamy, along with Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd and the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre.
- What
- The state launched a cloud-seeding operation using a specially equipped aircraft to try to increase rainfall.
- When
- The aircraft was flagged off on Friday; the monsoon is expected to end by the end of the month, and a special Assembly session is scheduled for September 21–23.
- Where
- The operation was launched at HAL Airport in Bengaluru and will be conducted wherever suitable clouds are found over Karnataka.
- Why
- The state is responding to below-normal rainfall, possible severe drought, water-storage concerns and agricultural distress.
- Estimated cost
- Rs 28.52 crore, excluding GST
- Earlier success rate
- The minister said a previous cloud-seeding operation was 35 per cent successful.
- Implementing agencies
- Karnataka Neeravari Nigam Ltd and the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre
- Contractor
- M/s Kyathi Climate Modification Consultants - LLP
- Drought-affected areas
- 101 talukas have been declared drought-affected.
- Monitoring system
- Doppler radar and weather data will be used to assess sunlight, wind speed, cloud density and cloud-seeding impact.
- Possible rainfall timing
- Officials said rain may occur within 30 minutes to one hour after seeding.