IMD teams up with BSNL to send extreme weather warnings
What's the story
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is teaming up with Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) to send extreme weather warnings to people. The move comes after the IMD came under criticism from several quarters, including some state governments for not sending out specific alerts, a charge denied by the weather body. For this, the BSNL has come up with a technology. Here are more details.
Passing spree
IMD will send alerts to BSNL, which'll pass to people
If the IMD sends an alert, they will pass it on to all BSNL numbers in Delhi (about an impending extreme weather event warning like thunderstorm), M Rajeevan, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences said. The area-specific alerts will be sent to users if they are located near extreme weather conditions, even if their phone numbers don't belong to that particular telecom circle.
Pilot project
Exercise is being carried out on an experimental stage
The exercise is being carried out on an experimental stage, and if successful the plan is to rope in other weather agencies as well, the official said. Rajeevan, however, said the government agencies have limitations in disseminating information, especially in scenarios like thunderstorms wherein the entire weather pattern forms and wreaks its fury in two to three hours.
Deaths
Over 200 people died due to thunderstorms this month
More than 200 people died due to thunderstorms across the country this month, with Uttar Pradesh alone witnessing half the deaths. In 2016, extreme weather had claimed lives of 1,600 people. The IMD cannot reach to every individual as its job is to prepare forecast. There should be some intermediary agencies which can take their forecast and pass it on to people, officials said.