Digital weather alert system for general use soon

Union Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Minister Harshvardhan Thursday launche an SMS-based weather alert system, which will soon be available to the general public, on the occasion of the Good Governance Day marking former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday.

TheWeather Information And Disaster Alert System is a component of the union government's flagship digital India programme that seeks to "transform the country into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy", Harshvardhan told media persons at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) here.

The minister said in a statement that a provision was underway to send out SMS alerts to general public and people would be required to register on the IMD website (www.rsmcnewdelhi@imd.gov.in) for this purpose.

As one of the successful initiatives to improve weather forecast and warning services, the IMD's digital dissemination of cyclone alerts to disaster managers, fishermen, and farmers in the affected areas have resulted in significant reduction in loss of life and property, the statement said.