Mumbai: The state government has finalised a Bengaluru-based company, Khyati Climates, to carry out cloud seeding in Maharashtra during the monsoon. It is planning to induce artificial rain in the parched Marathwada region by the end of this month with the help of cloud seeding.
“We have selected Khyati Climates from the three bidders to conduct the cloud seeding exercise. Almost all clearances, barring a few, have been received. The work order has also been issued to Khyati,” said a senior state official.
Last year too, the state government had chosen Khyati Climates for the cloud seeding exercise but later, plans were scrapped owing to satisfactory rainfall across the state.
The state government this year has already approved a proposal to carry out cloud seeding in drought-affected areas to induce artificial rainfall at a cost of Rs 30 crore. The amount will be spent on procuring aircraft and radar system for the cloud seeding programme.
“The radar will be procured by July 22 and will be stationed at Aurangabad. The aircraft will also be kept ready at the Aurangabad airport. There are also radars available at Mumbai, Nagpur and Solapur. After scrutinising the radar images at all four places, we will send the aircraft to the region where there are clouds to induce artificial rain,” said the official.
Cloud seeding is a method through which aeroplanes release particles that help moisture-bearing clouds burst open, thus leading to artificially stimulated rainfall.
