IMD augmenting its observation network in T.N. under Mission Mausam: MoS Jitendra Singh

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is taking measures to augment its observation network, including in the flood-prone coastal districts of Tamil Nadu, under the Mission Mausam and Panchayat level Mausam Seva, said Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent charge), Ministry of Science and Technology.

In his response to the unstarred question raised by MP Dayanidhi Maran on Wednesday, Mr. Singh said there are 65 automatic weather stations and 80 automatic rain gauges in Tamil Nadu. In the flood-prone districts of Chennai, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam, there are a total of eight AWS and eight ARGs. It would be augmented further based on requirement.

Mr. Maran had raised a question on the Union Government’s plans to expand observation network, including AWS, ARGs and doppler weather radars. He had also raised another query on whether there was a dedicated strategy to enhance nowcast and short-range forecasts targeting vulnerable geographical regions of T.N., including Western Ghats and Delta region.

To a question on plans to collaborate with Tamil Nadu State Disaster Management Authority (TNSDMA) to improve flood preparedness, Mr. Singh said IMD collaborated with TNSDMA and shared real-time weather data and sector-specific weather warnings. The Central Water Commission has been instructed to issue short-range flood forecasts with a lead time of 24 hours.

Mr. Maran had also enquired whether the Union government had plans to make Tamil-language versions of the IMD mobile application and farmer-specific forecast platforms. This would help reach out to the rural population and agricultural workers.

In his reply, Mr. Singh underlined the ongoing efforts to include ‘Uzhavar’ mobile application developed by the State Agriculture Department. District level agromet advisories issued by IMD along with various agencies are now available in Tamil on the app. Multiple platforms, including WhatsApp, are being used to disseminate farmer-centric weather information in Tamil, he added.