IMD to commission 27 doppler-radars across country for weather warning
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At least 27 doppler radars would be soon commissioned across India which would provide severe weather warning to stakeholders as much as six hours in advance, an India Meteorological Department (IMD) official said in Goa's Panaji yesterday.
"They will cover important coastlines and some of the important cities including Nagpur, Bhopal, Hyderabad and others," IMD Director General KJ Ramesh said.
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Indian Air force trying to activate radars in Punjab, Rajasthan
Ramesh pointed out how providing information in advance about thunderstorms like the ones recently reported in Bihar and West Bengal helps in reducing damage.
He added the Indian Air Force is trying to activate the radars in places like Punjab, Jodhpur and in Coimbatore.
"Soon we will have very good coverage of doppler radars combined with satellites to provide accurate weather information," he said.
Advance warnings
Warnings will be sent four to six hours in advance
"The warnings can be given about severe weather phenomenon like a thunderstorm or heavy rainfall," Ramesh said.
He said the messages alerting about severe weather would be sent almost four to six hours in advance to disaster management authorities so that they can respond to the situation well-prepared.
He added that the messages would also be relayed to various other stakeholders.
Thunderstorms
Recurring thunderstorms in West Bengal and Bihar
Ramesh recalled that last month, recurring thunderstorms were witnessed in West Bengal and Bihar.
"So using that opportunity of thunderstorm of May 2, the agencies put up their acts together by the time a second thunderstorm was witnessed on May 7," Ramesh stated.
He added that from May 2 to May 7, they could reposition themselves and work closely with the disaster management authorities.
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The disaster management authority alerted everyone in advance
"The disaster management authority had alerted all the agencies working together closely and disseminated the information and alerted the people to take safety precautions so that damage can be minimized," Ramesh recalled.
More areas
More areas to come under radar in near future: Ramesh
The DG believes that in near future, things will improve for better and more information and more areas will come under the radar range.
He added that North West Himalayas would also be covered with the augmentation of radar.
"Similarly, wherever there are gaps, radars would be commissioned in next two to three years," the IMD DG, Ramesh Kumar, said.