Colombo, March 28 (newsin.asia) – Sri Lanka will witness artificial rains in selected areas of the island which is facing a severe drought, in the coming months, the Power and Energy Ministry said here Wednesday.
Secretary to the Ministry, Suren Batagoda said the Power and Energy Ministry had decided to introduce ‘Artificial Rains’ for the first time in Sri Lanka with technical support from the Bureau of Royal Rainmaking and Agricultural Aviation (BRRAA) of Thailand.
A team of experts on artificial rain-making led by the Director General of BRRAA visited Sri Lanka last month and held several rounds of talks with the Ministry and the state run Ceylon Electricity Board.
“We are confident that Sri Lanka would benefit if the pilot project is a success and artificial rain-making can be made a permanent solution to the repeated droughts that have had a negative impact on the country,” Dr. Batagoda said.
Sri Lankan officials will visit Thailand soon to study the rain-making project and an MoU on the project is to be signed between the Ministry of Power and Energy and BRRAA.
The first artificial rain project will be carried out in the catchment basins of the four major reservoirs namely Castlereagh, Victoria, Kotmale and Mausakelle and depending on the success of the pilot project, it will be extended to other drought-hit areas of the country.
Over 300,000 people have been affected by severe drought in at least six districts of the island due to the lacks of monsoonal rains and dry weather conditions.
Hundreds of water bowsers have to date been distributed in the affected areas to provide relief to the people.