Govt mulling robust weather forecast model

As the country comes to terms with the rain-induced destruction in Uttarakhand, government is firming up plans to have a robust forecast model and augment mountain weather and climate monitoring with real time observations.
Under its 'integrated Himalayan meteorology' plan, the Ministry of Earth Sciences seeks to improve mountain weather and forecast service over the region by establishing additional and critical state-of-the-art surface and upper air observatories for generating real time observations.
The initiative will see the installation of doppler radar in Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
The enhanced network of surface and upper air observations over the region will help in improving weather forecasting services, officials said.

Automatic weather stations would also be augmented in the region, a move which would help in having an enhanced understanding of weather and climate processes over the complex Himalayan terrain and render quality forecast services.
The enhanced observation system along with high resolution numerical models will be executed in partnership with Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment of the DRDO.

It will also assist weathermen in having better understanding of physical process along with high impact weather phenomenon leading to heavy rainfall, heavy snowfall leading to cloud burst, flash floods, avalanches etc towards the development of early weather system.
The new model will be an exclusive mountain meteorological service for the Himalayan states.

The existing forecasting models lack the edge to meet the region specific user requirements of the Himalayan topography which is prone to cloud bursts, flash floods and landslides.