THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JUNE 18:
ISRO will set up 1,000 automatic weather stations (AWS) across
the country within the next six months as part of its effort
to collect region-specific data on weather and make need-based
meteorological services available for civilian purposes.
AWS is a meteorological equipment with sensors to
measure rainfall, humidity, wind speed, atmospheric
temperature and direction of wind. The data collected would be
sent to specially-equipped centres via satellite for
processing. The stations will generate data on an hourly
basis.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) and
the Centre for Monsoon Studies at Cochin University of Science
and Technology (CUSAT) are implementing the project for ISRO,
which has indigenously developed the technology.
Head
of Centre for Monsoon Studies Dr C K Rajan told The Indian
Express on Wednesday that the pilot project implemented in
Kerala, Tamil Nadu and the Northeast has been successful.
Centre for Monsoon Studies has already begun analysing the
data from AWSs that are operational.
"As of now, 350
AWSs have been set up in the country - 70 for the Northeast,
75 for Tamil Nadu and 43 for Kerala. A pan-Indian rollout of
AWSs, a total of 1,000, would be completed within the next six
months," he said.
The processed information from AWSs
will have huge potential for civilian use. Local farmers could
be tipped-off about local climatic conditions and availability
of ground water among other factors. Information about the
direction of wind and its speed will help the health
department to take efficient preventive measures if an
air-borne disease breaks out in an area, he said.
"The
data would also help enhance accuracy in meteorological
predictions. Besides, region-specific weather reports could be
released for various purposes," he said.
While gauging
rainfall, the AWS would also provide data on whether a
particular amount of rainfall was received in an hour or in a
day.
"The AWS would help look into localised weather
conditions more effectively," Dr Rajan said.