After failed attempts,cloud seeding shows results

With the water crisis looming large and no rainfall in sight,the civic body is heavily banking on artificial rain for respite.

“It did drizzle after the experiment and there are still light showers in the catchment area,” deputy hydraulic engineer,P Guhe said. There was no rain at Modak Sagar on Wednesday while Tansa received only 1mm rain on Tuesday. However,after the experiment,there was continuous rain along with lightening and heavy cloud movement.

“The cloud and atmospheric conditions were not perfect but we saw some clouds and decided to conduct the experiment,” said Shantilal

Meckoni who has been engaged by the BMC to carry the process at the cost of Rs 16 lakh.

The civic administration will continue the cloud seeding experiments till September. After permission from the civil aviation ministry,seeding through aircraft will also begin. “A radar will soon be fixed at Modak Sagar that will help in accurate weather forecast,”an official said. Agni Aviation will conduct the experiment for 60 days at a cost of Rs 8 crore.