Maharashtra to start cloud seeding in rain-deficit Marathwada

MUMBAI: Even as Mumbai breached its season average rainfall in just two months, drought-prone Marathwada remains parched.
With monsoon evading most parts of the region, the state government is likely to begin its cloud seeding experiments this week.

Officials said all the permissions have been acquired. The radar to monitor cloud cover and other weather conditions has been brought from the US and is being assembled in Aurangabad.The aircraft to be used for the experiment is likely to reach Aurangabad by Sunday night.
"Once the radar is assembled and calibrated, we will take test flights, which will begin by Tuesday. If all goes well, we are likely to start actual experiments by Thursday," said a senior official. The state government has awarded the work order to a US-based agency.
Officials said they will be assisted by a group of scientists from Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology who will be stationed in Mumbai to study the cloud patterns and to give directions on the best areas for the experiments.
IITM is already conducting its own cloud seeding experiments in Solapur.
Officials said Karnataka took to cloud seeding last year and has recorded great results. "Karnataka recorded 28% rainfall enhancement last year and we are hoping for similar results," said another official.
Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Saturday predicted extremely heavy rain in parts of Maharashtra for the next 24 hours, but light to moderate rain in Marathwada region. The scarcity-hit region has seen farmers sowing for the second time after the first crop failed due to delayed rainfall.
As per official data, Marathwada still has monsoon deficit of over 32%.
Twenty-five revenue circles from Nanded, Hingoli and Parbhani districts of the region recorded heavy rain-- over 65mm--with a few places registering over 100 mm during the past 24 hours ending Saturday morning.
However, Beed and Osmanabad districts have received an average 2.5mm and 17 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours. Latur district also received an average 30 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours.