Monday, March 29, 2010

Radar to predict weather in place by monsoon, hopes IMD


An Indian-made Doppler radar designed for real time weather prediction, a need felt during the 2005 deluge, is headed for the city, with weather officials optimistic it will be in place before this year’s monsoon.
One of the two Doppler radars procured by the Centre from Bharat Electronics Ltd would reach Mumbai in April, and plans are to start installation immediately atop the 16-storey Archana Building in Navy Nagar, India Meteorology Department (IMD) officials said. BEL, along with Indian Space Research Organisation, produces the S-band cyclone radar.
“The radar that was earlier planned for Kochi has now been diverted to Mumbai. As soon as it arrives, we will begin its installation at the site. We are trying our best to ensure the radar is installed before this monsoon,” said R V Sharma, IMD deputy director general.
The need for a state-of-the art weather forecasting system was felt after the deluge in July 2005, when predictions were off the mark. The authorities opted for a Doppler radar and the Centre identified 17 installation locations, including Mumbai, on the east and west coasts.

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