Maharashtra takes its time to start cloud seeding

MUMBAI: Though the monsoon continues to evade parts of Marathwada and Vidarbha, the state government is in no hurry to commence cloud seeding experiments.
Officials said they had received permission from the state government to conduct cloud seeding experiments but it would be a while before they would be able to commence the experiments. Officials said tenders had been invited and permissions would be sought from the different ministries of the Centre.
Minister Sudhir Miungantiwar said the government would conduct cloud seeding experiments in the eventuality that rain evades some parts of the state. He said the experiments would be conducted only when the cloud situation was favourable for these experiments. The state has declared drought in over 28,000 villages in the state.
"We have already approved cloud seeding for the state. The cloud conditions have to be favourable for it. We will mostly conduct the experiments on the dams and the catchment areas," he said.