IMD reviews cyclone preparedness, to release impact-based warnings this season

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 8

The IMD will release dynamic and impact-based cyclone warnings for districts this season to minimise economic losses and damage to property due to the intense weather system, Director General Mrutunjay Mohapatra has said.

Speaking on ‘Chasing the Cyclones’ at an event recently Mohapatra said the new system location or district-specific tailored warnings, which factor in the local population, infrastructure, settlements, land use and other elements, would be prepared and disseminated.

All disaster management agencies will make extensive use of cartographic, geological and hydrological data available for the district concerned.

“With India’s growing economy, we aim to reduce the damage and economic losses caused to property and infrastructure. The dynamic, impact-based cyclone warning will be commissioned from this season”, he added.

Until now, the IMD gave warnings about the kind of damage expected during a cyclone.

Earlier, at a pre-cyclone meeting to review preparedness, take stock of requirements, plan for the cyclone season October-December, 2020 and share new initiatives by the IMD with stake holders, Mohapatra said that during ensuing cyclone season, IMD would start interactive display system to forecast cyclone track and intensity on the GIS platform.

Storms during October to December, especially in the Bay of Bengal, ravage the eastern coast and damage property. Pre and post-monsoon months form the cyclone season in the country.

The IMD has achieved significant improvement in track, landfall, intensity and adverse weather, including heavy rainfall, strong wind and storm surge forecast.

Cyclones are multi-hazardous in nature and thus they cause heavy rain, strong winds and storm surge over the affected region simultaneously and in its wake the associated property loss can be huge.

This can be in the form of damage to houses and roads, farms and agriculture lands, public infrastructure, and power and telecommunication lines, adding to the overall economic burden for the affected families, local administrations and state governments.

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