Doppler weather radar inaugurated at Kufri
Tribune News Service
Shimla, January 15
Accurate weather forecast is not only vital for farmers to protect their crops from natural calamities but also to help in tourism development as the tourists can decide about their travel plans according to the weather.
100-km radius covered
- The radar will be on test mode for two weeks. Thereafter, its data will be used for forecasting
- It will observe and provide weather data of 100 km in all directions
- Two more radars will be installed at Mandi and Dalhousie in Chamba district of the state
This was stated by the Union Minister for Earth Sciences, Health and Family Welfare and Science and Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan after virtual inauguration of First Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) installed at Kufri in the suburbs of Shimla town on the occasion of 146th India Meteorological Department Foundation Day, today.
The Union Minister also virtually inaugurated Multi Mission Meteorological Data Receiving and Processing System and online version of a Mausam journal. Addressing the occasion virtually, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur thanked the Union minister for dedicating the radar at Kufri, Shimla. He said that two more radars would be installed at Mandi and Dalhousie in Chamba district of the state.
The site had already been finalized at Mandi and the site for the radar at Dalhousie would be finalized soon, he said adding that at present the radar installed at Kufri was on test mode for a period of two weeks. Thereafter, its data would be used for forecasting purpose.
He said that range of this radar was up to 100 kilometres in radial distance. It would observe and provide the weather data of 100 kilometres in all directions, which would be used for forecasting purpose, especially for short-range forecast. He said that more précise area specific weather forecast and warning would be issued for a particular place, for the weather phenomenon like thunderstorm, lighting, hailstorm, heavy rainfall/snowfall, gusty winds.
Thakur said that this centre would help horticulturists and farmers of the state by providing them accurate information regarding weather.
The DWR, Kufri, would run round the clock. It is fully automatic and computerized. He said that it would transmit the data in various digital format and picture form.
