The 30-hour cloud-seeding supposedly set today to induce rains over Bohol has been postponed, said the designated focal person of the operation.

According to Leon Parac Jr., the provincial cloud-seeding focal person, the operation has been moved to an unspecified date next week due to the unavailability of a Philippine Air Force member who will serve as the activity’s technician.

Parac said that requirements, such as a permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, for the cloud-seeding have all been readied.

Authorities organizing the operation have also secured an authorization from the Bureau of Soil and Water Management (BSWM), which allotted the amount used to pay for the aircraft owned by the Royal Admission Company.

The BSWM, led by7 Engr. Henry Gacayan, recently concluded a two-day monitoring operation conducted in watershed areas across the province.

It has been reported that the cloud-seeding is needed over rice fields in the province due to the drastic decrease of water elevation in Bohol dams.

Parac noted that major dams in the province including the Malinao Dam in Pilar, Bayongan Dam in San Miguel, Capayas Dam in Ubay and Talibon Dam in Talibon all have low levels of water supply due to the intense heat.

The said dams have only been able to irrigate nearby rice lands as these do not have sufficient water levels to reach paddies in far-flung areas.

Governor Edgar M. Chatto on July 18, 2016 sent a letter to the BSWM director, Silvino Q. Tejada, strongly recommending the creation of artificial rain to save hectares of rice lands in Bohol. (Rey Tutas)