Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Karnataka Plans Cloud Seeding Operations Amid Rainfall Deficit
Karnataka has received less rain than expected.
The government wants to try cloud seeding to encourage more rain when suitable clouds are present.
Special aircraft will spread substances into clouds as part of the process.
Officials say rain may fall within about 15 kilometres of the seeding area.
The plan will cover Karnataka’s four revenue divisions.
Three committees will monitor, guide and evaluate the work.
The project is expected to cost Rs 27 crore and last 60 days.
The government says the goal is to protect drinking water supplies, livestock and farming before summer.
Karnataka plans to begin cloud-seeding operations to address a rainfall deficit and reduce the risk of water scarcity.
Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy said three committees will oversee, guide and evaluate the programme.
The committees will include officials and experts from the Indian Institutes of Technology, IISc and the India Meteorological Department.
The project is estimated to cost Rs 27 crore, run for 60 days and involve about 200 flying hours.
Reports give slightly different timelines, saying operations could begin within two days or after two to three days of technical assessments.
- Who
- The Karnataka government, Water Resources Minister N. Cheluvarayaswamy and the state Water Resources Department.
- What
- A 60-day cloud-seeding programme intended to address the rainfall deficit and help prevent water scarcity.
- When
- Announced on Tuesday; reports say operations may begin within two days, while another account says technical assessments will occur over the next two to three days before operations begin.
- Where
- Across Karnataka’s four revenue divisions, with the announcement made at Vidhana Soudha in Bengaluru.
- Why
- Because officials warn that the rainfall deficit could cause water shortages in the coming months and that future rain may not be continuous.
- Estimated cost
- Approximately Rs 27 crore
- Duration
- 60 days
- Planned operating time
- About 200 flying hours, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. daily
- Coverage
- Karnataka’s four revenue divisions
- Expected range
- Rainfall is expected within a 15-kilometre radius of seeding areas
- Oversight
- Monitoring, Technical, and Field Operations and Evaluation committees
- Previous results
- Cloud seeding was previously undertaken three times in Karnataka, with a reported success rate of 18 to 20 percent
