Cloud seeding begins on rainy note

Hubli: Thanks to the cloud seeding efforts, the drizzle in Gadag district soon turned into a downpour.
However, the initiative, a joint venture of the Hulkoti-based K H Patil Krishi Vignana Kendra, Agricultural Science Foundation and Agni Aviation Consultants, ran into a major glitch on the first day itself as the administration refused to give it permission. Though the Agni aircraft had arrived here on Friday, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) did not allow it to take off till the district administration gave the go ahead.
Finally at 4:00 pm, the AAI received a fax from the deputy commissioner granting permission for cloud seeding with a rider that no damage should be caused to the environment.
Consequently, the cloud seeding aircraft took off at 5:45 pm. As the radar on the plane pointed to clouds over Gadag district, cloud seeding was undertaken over Gadag, Nargund and Navalgund taluks. As it had begun drizzling in Gadag, cloud seeding was undertaken there to intensify the rains.
The programme will continue till July 21.
Referring to the glitch, H K Patil stated that the Civil Aviation director-general had given a blanket permission for Agni Aviation to take up cloud seeding ventures anywhere in the country.
20/07/08 Deccan Herald

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Categories: New Jul 2008