IMD weather predictions helping govt. prevent loss of lives to a large extent, says official

The State government was able to prevent loss of lives to a large extent, thanks to the alerts and predictions about very heavy rainfall being provided by the India Meteorological Department(IMD), Amaravati, said Revenue Special Chief Secretary R.P. Sisodia.

Speaking as the chief guest at the stakeholders’ meet on IMD’s weather and climate services for Andhra Pradesh, held to commemorate 150 years of IMD, at the School of Planning and Architecture in Vijayawada on December 20, Friday, Mr. Sisodia hoped that there would be better loss mitigation as more precise predictions could be expected with the advancement of technology.

“These days, extreme events such as flash floods, heat waves, chilly winters are becoming a norm. It will not be wrong to say that man is contributing to these disasters. Man is the only species who is not blessed with the instinct of collective self-preservation. Group survival is important than individual survival for animals, whereas man thinks only of himself, his greed, comfort and selfish interests,” Mr. Sisodia said, adding that these actions were leading to deforestation and environmental pollution.

Earlier, Director General of Meteorology, IMD, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra outlined the progress the IMD had made since its inception in 1875. “From 1864, when 40,000 people died due to a cyclone that hit the coast of Machilipatnam, to 2023 when no lives were lost during the Michaung cyclone, we have come a long way,” Mr. Mohapatra said, remembering the contributions of scientists.

He said Andhra Pradesh had been at the forefront in proper application of technology and communication, commending the IMD Amaravati scientists for their efforts.

“Today, we have come to a stage where we do not just inform the society about how the weather is going to be tomorrow, we have also begun telling them about what the weather will do. We disseminate information about the scale of impact on properties, trees, houses, four to five days in advance so that the governments can take measures,” Mr. Mohapatra said.

Collaboration

Later, Mr. Mohapatra signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the School of Planning and Architecture, Vijayawada, Director Ramesh Srikonda, to collaborate in areas of research work and disaster management strategies.

In the afternoon session of the day-long programme, IMD, Amaravati, Director S. Stella gave details about the forecast system and how it helped the government in preparing for an extreme weather event.

Other stakeholders, including the A.P. State Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Response Force, Departments of Fisheries, Agriculture, Irrigation, among others, gave presentations.