Kerala may usher in cloud seeding to fight drought

Thiruvananthapuram: The state government will consider cloud-seeding to create artificial rain in the wake of the severe drought. This was announced by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the Assembly on Tuesday in reply to the adjournment motion moved  by Me Shafi Parambil (Congress) on the drought situation in the state.

Using the cloud-seeding technique, rain clouds are identified using sensors and rainfall is created using chemicals.  Foreign countries and states like Karnataka and Maharashtra had  conducted  similar experiments  earlier.  A decision will be taken after studying its various aspects, including costs, Mr Vijayan said.

Referring to the forest fires, he said that  the services of Air Force were used to fight wild fire with helicopters. Steps were also taken to distribute water in tankers to animals inside the forest after digging pits there.

The UDF,   which  supported the state initiative in this regard,  staged a walkout in protest against the government's refusal to discuss the  grave drought situation.

Referring to the Opposition charge of lapses in tackling the drought, the chief minister said the government will ensure water in the parched regions, irrespective of the quantum of funds needed.

Earlier, Revenue Minister E. Chandrasekharan said that a recent national report had pointed out that the water table in the state had fallen by four metres.

The state received 34 per cent less rain during  June- September  2016 and 62 percent  less during  October - December,  he said.