Indian Metrological Department offers multi-crore Doppler radar for Sikkim


GANGTOK, April 30: State Science & Technology minister Bhim Dhungel today underlined the importance of weather study in Sikkim as the State falls under seismic zone.
Weather study and accurate forecast is important for the hilly State of Sikkim, said the minister while inaugurating the day long conference on weather services for Sikkim organized by Indian Metrological Department here.
Dhungel also called upon the concerned authorities to install latest weather forecasting systems for Sikkim. He said that such workshops should be conducted regulary for the benefit of the masses. He also urged the people to make optimum use of facilities and data provided by the Met department.
Dr Ajit Tyagi, director general of Indian Metrological Department in his address announced setting up additional automatic weather stations in all districts of the State besides upgrading the seismic study facilities. He also observed that if the State government cooperates, his department will ensure that Sikkim is converted into a State with the most advanced Forecast mechanism.
Dr Tyagi also informed to media that a Himalayan meteorology programme is being planned by the India Meteorological Department, catering exclusively to the needs of the Himalayan States. It is expected to be implemented during the next Five Year Plan.
Referring to Sikkim, Dr Tyagi said that his Department is ready to install a state-of-art Doppler radar provided the State Government allocates for a suitable site for the purpose. He said that the Doppler radar, costing around Rs. 12-15 crore, assures about cent-percent accurate weather forecast which will be quite beneficial to a hill State like Sikkim prone to heavy rains triggering frequent landslides.
Dr Tyagi further said that keeping in view the fact that the entire NE region and Sikkim fall under a seismically sensitive zone, about twenty eight additional Seismologic Observatories are planned in the region this year. Of these, three will be in Sikkim, he said.

source:sikkim express