The Karnataka government on Wednesday said it would take up cloud-seeding by the end of June, amid reports forecasting deficit rainfall.

The government has already called for tenders for two years and will spend an estimated ₹ 88 crore for the purpose.

“In newspapers we are seeing that in 2019 there is a possibility of deficit rainfall. We have already taken precautionary measures regarding this for two years i.e. for 2019-20 and 2020-21 to implement cloud-seeding,”Rural Development Minister Krishna Byre Gowda said.

He said the government would award the tender in a week to 10 days.

“By June end, we will begin the cloud-seeding process in the state. The tender has been called for two years together. An expert committee had also given similar recommendation,” he said.

For two years together, the estimated cost would be ₹ 88 crore, he said, briefing media after Chief Minister H D Kumaraswamy’s video conferencing with Deputy Commissioners of districts and CEO of Zilla Panchayats on drought in the state.

Pointing out that cloud seeding earlier used to be done by August, by which time the monsoon would have almost ended, Gowda said that to avoid it, the government decided this time to go for the exercise at the onset of the monsoon.

There will be two centres at Bengaluru and Hubbali for cloud seeding, with two aircraft, he said.

“If there is good rain in one region, the centre there can be shifted as additional centre to where there is lack of rain. It will also be based on cloud cover,” he said.

Drought management

Revenue Minister R V Deshpande said the government was taking steps to manage drought on a “war footing” and that he has directed all Deputy Commissioners and CEOs to tour the districts to assess the situation.

Tahsildars have also been asked to travel to villages, panchayat headquarters nd urban areas to understand the ground reality and work effectively, he said.

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