Filed by GJ/TNNDharwad: With the southwest monsoon remaining weak and raising concerns over crop stress across Karnataka, minister Satish Jarkiholi on Saturday announced that the state govt will begin cloud-seeding operations over Hubballi and Haveri within the next two days in an effort to safeguard standing crops.Speaking to reporters after chairing a meeting of the district disaster management authority in Dharwad, Jarkiholi said all preparations for cloud-seeding exercise have been completed and the operation will commence shortly.“Monsoon has been inadequate, and crops sown during June are already showing signs of moisture stress. Our immediate priority is to protect the standing crops,” he said.Jarkiholi said the DCs have been instructed to submit detailed field reports on the condition of crops in their respective districts. State govt will assess the situation based on these reports before deciding on additional relief measures for farmers.He also directed officials to ensure there is no shortage of drinking water in vulnerable areas and to maintain adequate fodder stocks for the livestock.Responding to a question on the proposed separate corporation for Dharwad, Jarkiholi said the city would soon get its own corporation. He attributed the delay to a lack of budgetary allocation but said efforts are now underway to secure the necessary funds and expedite the project.
