Aiming to improve forecast accuracy, IMD to establish 100 Automatic Weather Stations in Kerala

News Bharati    04-Nov-2019
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Thiruvananthapuram, November 4: With an aim to improve forecast accuracy significantly, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has offered to establish 100 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs) in Kerala. The State government has issued orders approving the proposal. The government had pressed for more AWSs in the aftermath of the 2018 floods. 
 
At present, IMD has only 14 AWSs in the State. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has identified land in 14 districts for establishing the first 73 AWS, with the government deeming these stations necessary for averting threatening disaster situations in the State. Work on the first 15 is expected to begin soon.
As per the information by the IMD, nine of the new stations will come up in Thrissur, eight in Ernakulam, seven in Palakkad, and six each in Kozhikode, Kottayam, and Kollam. Kasaragod, Wayanad, Malappuram, and Pathanamthitta will get five stations each; Thiruvananthapuram four, Alappuzha three, and Kannur and Idukki will get two stations.
After weather forecasting in connection with the 2018 floods drew flak, the State government had complained to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the National Disaster Management Authority about the inadequate number of AWSs in the State.
Subsequently, the KSDMA had identified 120 locations in consultation with district administrations, the Kerala Water Authority, the Kerala State Electricity Board, and the Irrigation Department.