At a time when the IMD has revised its rainfall forecast from 93 to 88 per cent, Maharashtra government is preparing to use the cloud seeding method and induce rainfall, to cope up with water shortage.


According to K H Govindraj, Secretary - Relief and Rehabilitation department, the state government has floated tenders for cloud seeding, that will be kept ready if the monsoon fails or is below the required levels.


"According to the IMD prediction, rainfall will be more or less normal. But, if the monsoon fails, we need to have a contingency plan ready to make water available. Thus, we are not only looking at domestic but also international agencies that can help us with cloud seeding," Govindraj said.


He said that the El Nino, the warming of the central to eastern tropical Pacific that occurs every two to seven years on an average may result in long dry spells, that may eventually increase the drought problems already plaguing several regions in the state.