Vijayawada: Weather alerts for farmers
IMD is taking steps to issue weather alerts to the 94 million farmers across the country.
Vijayawada: Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is taking steps to issue weather alerts to the 94 million farmers across the country with common alert protocol. Adressing media at Andhra Pradesh Disaster Management office in the city on Friday, IMD director Dr K.J. Ramesh said that the BSNL has accepted to share its customer data and 24 million farmers across the country were accessing weekly alerts on weather conditions.
Dr Ramesh said that the National Monsoon Mission is clearly observing the monsoon and pre-monsoon rains across the country and South India will receive 99 per cent rainfall this year. He said that 26 doppler radars are working across the country to update changes in weather. The IMD is issuing cyclone predictions and alerts most accurately and places of landfall were predicted two hours in advance, which is helping state governments to take necessary measures.
“ISRO is developing necessary technology and their satellites are helping us to give predictions and updates on heatwave and cyclones,” he said. He said that Ultraviolet index does not play a significant role in the country and IMD is giving updates on heat wave conditions based on increase in temperatures. While asked about establishing IMD centre in Andhra Pradesh, Mr Ramesh said that it was not necessary for now and will think of it in future.