Karnataka forms committees for cloud seeding to combat drought

The Karnataka government has established two specialized committees to oversee and provide technical guidance for a cloud seeding program aimed at addressing deficient monsoon rainfall across the state.

A six-member Monitoring Committee, chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner, will supervise the program's implementation and review its progress. This panel includes representatives from the Water Resources, Revenue (Disaster Management), Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, and Agriculture departments.

A second Technical Advisory and Evaluation Committee, led by the Director of the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Monitoring Centre (KSNDMC), will provide scientific guidance. This committee includes experts from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).

Separately, Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister G. Parameshwara stated that 101 taluks have been identified as drought-affected. The state is preparing a report for the central government to secure drought relief and is considering expanding the list of affected areas following further assessments. Parameshwara also expressed the state's intent to urge the central government to consider farmer loan waivers.