Journalism of Courage
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not been able to find enough open spaces in the city to install Automatic Weather Stations (AWS),with which it had planned to give hourly updates. It had managed to install five such devices in the first week of June at Magarpatta,Chinchwad,Pashan,Wadgaonsheri and Bibvewadi,but is scouting for appropriate sites for the remaining five.
We are unable to get sites and this is delaying the process. With these AWS installed,we can get hourly updates of the rainfall in that particular area. We have five more AWS to install, said deputy director general (surface instruments),IMD Pune,RD Vashishta.
According to the modernisation plan,more than 500 AWS are to be installed in various parts of the country. This would help in taking better observations in the outskirts and help better forecasting.
These stations,providing real-time picture,will be able to put up more accurate weather data. The hourly data obtained from the new sites will be uploaded on IMD website.
The AWS will give information on rainfall,temperature,mean sea level pressure,dew-point temperature,dry-bulb temperature,wind speed and wind direction. The project is expected to cost Rs 3 crore.
Sources said around 125 AWS had so far been installed in various parts of the country. Of these,105 are already providing hourly updates.
WHAT IT DOES
* An Automatic Weather Station is portable; does not require observers
* Most are equipped with devices to transmit
information via satellite to ground stations
* It can collect data on rainfall,temperature,wind speed,wind direction & relative humidity
