Learning a lesson from two failed cloud seeding attempts in the recent past, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has put in place a five-year plan to conduct its cloud seeding project. The BMC had decided to make cloud seeding a long-term policy earlier this year. From next year, studies will be conducted above lakes that supply potable water to the city. The studies would include analysing cloud formation, wind direction and impact of wind velocity on the clouds during the monsoon.

Municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte in September decided on conducting cloud seeding experiments every year and consolidating the data.

The BMC wants to rope in the technical expertise of Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The civic body has written to the two agencies to carry out scientific research as a pre-requisite, while conducting cloud seeding. Responses, however, are still awaited.

“Correspondence with IITM and IMD is in process to seek long-term collaboration to conduct scientific studies for cloud seeding experiments,” said Rajiv Jalota, additional municipal commissioner (projects).

“Also, letters will be sent out to a few public sector undertakings, urging them to take up the project as part of their corporate social responsibility,” he added.

The civic body is undertaking a cost-benefit analysis for the project to avoid huge costs incurred in the experiments.  “The process to procure the equipments required for the project would be taken up soon,” said a senior civic official.

To avoid ill-planning, the civic body has also planned to initiate the procedure to seek clearances from the central and state governments well in advance.