Himachal to have enhanced weather monitoring for tribal areas

TCN Service/Shimla

Himachal Pradesh government is mulling to enhance weather monitoring technology and will set up two Doppler Radar Stations in Tribal areas of the state.

A state government official said complete coverage of scientific data for weather forecasting will soon be available in Himachal as the government mulls to set up two more Doppler Radar Stations in Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti districts.

“This step will enhance the alert system to predict future weather trends, while alerting meteorologists to upcoming precipitation, storms or severe weather, which will help to adopt the safety measures much in advance,” he added.

Recently, two Doppler Radar Stations at Jot in Chamba district and Murari Devi in Mandi district have been established thereby 70 percent area of the state is already covered.

These stations can generate scientific data on the severity of weather in a radius of 100 kms each and with the establishment of two more stations, coverage of the whole state will be ensured for weather forecasting well in time.

The Doppler Radar Technology will enable the meteorologists to accurately forecast the arrival of precipitation and ability to forecast the location, the intensity and severity of the bad weather and to highlight whether there’s a high or low probability of danger to life and property.

The frequent occurrence of heavy rains, thunderstorms and hailstorms in Himachal, makes it even more pertinent to have these radar stations, thereby enhancing the weather monitoring capabilities, enabling the administration to make early arrangements to mitigate damages caused by disasters and to ensure safety of life.

Commenting on the development, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the matter has been raised to set up these new stations with the Union government and the process for set up was well in its advanced stage.

“The government was committed to leveraging cutting edge technology for the benefits to the people of the state.

Apart from setting up Doppler Radar Stations, the government is also focusing on establishing high-tech seismic observatory cum data analysis centers in Kangra and Hamirpur districts with the help of the Union government.

The observatory and data analysis centers will aid in the early detection and warning of earthquakes, which can potentially save lives and minimize damages,” he added.