Bengaluru: With most of the state reeling under the worst-ever drought conditions, the state government has decided to take up cloud seeding from the second week of July.

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister Krishna Byre Gowda informed that the state has sought permission from the Central government in this regard. “But till now, the Center has not issued permission,” he said.

“One of the reasons may be that all three Air Traffic Controls (ATCs) in Bengaluru are busy. So, we are trying to coordinate with the Central government to start the cloud seeding work at the earliest,” he said.

According to the authorities, compared to last year, the sowing work is in progress only in 35% of the agricultural land across the state. “The situation is very grim. Even the Malnad districts including Kodagu, Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru are facing the worst-ever floods,” said an officer from the agriculture department.