Response to toll-free weather updates positive in Kolkata

Response to the toll-free weather update system has been positive, the regional Met Office said here on Saturday.

"Though we do not have the exact number of callers but we can say the response has been very good," said Devendra Pradhan, deputy director general of the regional meteorological centre.

When IANS called up the toll-free number 1800 180 1717, the weather update for the current day as well as the forecast for the next day was provided. The service can be availed of in the language of one's choice -- Hindi, English and Bengali.

Saturday's maximum stood at 36 degrees Celsius while the minimum was recorded at 28 degrees Celsius. For Sunday, the forecast is that the "skies will remain partly cloudy and there is the possibility of thundershowers".

For the Delhi NCR region and Pune, the dial-up service offers insights into the air quality index with the help of the app named SAFAR, developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.