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Journalism of Courage
NEW DELHI, OCT 22: Scientists have developed a computer-based cyclone forecasting model that will indicate the severity of an impending sea storm at least 12 hours in advance and help administrators take timely action to mitigate damage in coastal areas.
The model may help administrators evacuate areas likely to be hit by a storm surge and save valuable lives and property, S K Dube of the Centre for Atmospheric Sciences at Indian Institute of Technology IIT here said.
The model is expected to specially benefit India8217;s east coast that is frequently ravaged by the fury of cyclones.
It can identify the magnitude of a storm surge, the most likely areas where the surge is going to hit, and inundation areas up to 10-15 kilometres inside the coast, he said.
Surge or rise in sea level due to cyclone is the leading cause of death and damage as the rising wall of water inundates large areas. This is a common phenomenon in India8217;s eastern coast and Bangladesh.
The Indian Meteorological Department IMD istesting the operational feasibility of the model for its inclusion in IMD8217;s cyclone warning programme, Dube told newsmen.
