Maharashtra: Cloud seeding again in Aurangabad

While Western Maharashtra and Vidharbha region reeling under severe water logging due to incessant rains, most of the districts from Aurangabad and Amravati revenue divisions are still parched.

The water level in major dams in Amravati and Aurangabad division is mere 19.78% and 34.47% respectively.

The revenue administration has launched cloud seeding in Aurangabad division from today after acquiring necessary approvals from various agencies. The radar to monitor cloud cover and other weather conditions have been brought from the US.

Besides, a team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology is assisting the revenue administration in the cloud seeding exercise. The government has already approved Rs 30 crore for cloud seeding.

The revenue department officer said if the rainfall will prolong further the water will be a major problem.

In 2015, the government had conducted cloud seeding in the region for 90 days. The region had reported 1381.1 mm of rainfall.

A data compiled by the revenue department shows that Marathwada comprising eight districts has 30% rainfall deficiency.

The rainfall deficit in Marathwada continued with the region receiving 286.30 mm of rainfall against a likely average of 394.63 mm.