Weather prediction goes for toss in Odisha as two operational radars under maintenance

Bhubaneswar: At a time when Odisha is facing a sever flood situation in more than six districts and having active southwest monsoon trough, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has put two operational weather radars located at Paradip and Gopalpur under maintenance, affecting the accurate weather predictions.

As a result, the officials of Meteorological Centre Bhubaneswar are depending on the newly installed weather radar at Sambalpur, which is not giving frequent updates and accurate weather predictions for entire Odisha. Even though a doppler radar system was established in Bhubaneswar, it is yet to be commissioned.

Doppler radar is a scientific equipment that tracks the frequency of reflected radio wave changes and facilitates meteorologists to map wind speeds, track storms, and predict severe weather like cyclones and heavy rain.

During a high-level review meeting on July 2, it was decided to install four more doppler radars in the State. Speaking to media, Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari had said that the new Doppler radars will be commissioned at Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Puri and Paradip. “The installation of the Doppler Weather Radar at Sambalpur is nearly complete and will be inaugurated shortly,” the Minister said, adding that similar facility at Baleshwar, Bhubaneswar, and Puri are to be commissioned within the current year.

Weather experts and meteorologists have questioned the timing of maintenance when frequent low-pressure systems over the Bay of Bengal are common during the southwest monsoon season.

Raising concern over the issue in a social media post, meteorologist Biswajit Sahoo said, “Sadly, the weather radars from Odisha to West Bengal, which are supposed to help us track rainfall & provide early warning – are all under maintenance, and this too is happening during the Southwest Monsoon.”