KL Report
SRINAGAR
After visiting the Jhelum bundh and various parts of the town, particularly those areas which are water logged for want of any storm water drainage, the Governor Wednesday visited the Meteorological Centre, Indian Meteorological Department, Government of India, at Ram Bagh.
At the Met Centre, the Governor climbed four levels to be able to see the new ‘X’ Band Radar at close quarters where after he received a detailed briefing by Sonam Lotus, Scientist-C, Incharge of the Met Centre, Srinagar, of how this new 100 km range Radar is providing superior forecasts as compared to those generated by the erstwhile systems.
In the context of the current flood situation it is pertinent to recall that for the past several years the Governor has been in correspondence with the successive Union Ministers of Science and Technology and the Department of Earth Sciences for a ‘C’ Band Doppler Radar being installed at Srinagar which would not only provide accurate weather forecasts but would enable timely arrangements being made to deal with any arising flood situation.
Besides providing advance forecasts about heavy rains, cloud bursts, snow falls and avalanches, the C-band 500 km range Doppler Radar would also generate timely advance information regarding the weather along the entire high altitude route to the Amarnathji Shrine which takes place during summer every year.
While the Meteorological Department, Government of India, have presently installed an ‘X’ Band Radar they have informed the Governor that a ‘C’ Band Radar would be duly installed within the next two years.
At the Work Station of the Met Centre the Governor was shown images of the Western disturbance which had been working up since March 28. Lotus also informed the Governor about the forecast of rain and snow during 1st– April 4, 2015.
