After a fatal heatstroke incident that claimed 14 lives at a government-sponsored event in Kharghar, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has decided to install an automatic weather station (AWS) in the area.
The IMD currently operates two observatories in Mumbai - Santacruz and Colaba. The closest ones to Kharghar are in Alibaug and Rabale's Thane-Belapur Industrial Association (TBIA) which was established in 2017. This makes the installation of the AWS critical.
Also Read: Navi Mumbai tragedy: Autopsy reports confirm victims died of heatstroke
The IMD plans to install the AWS in Kharghar before the monsoon season to capture rainfall data, daytime and nighttime temperatures. The site for the AWS needs to have adequate exposure conditions, clear and level land, and no tall buildings nearby to ensure accurate weather data collection. The readings from the AWS will be reflected on the IMD website daily to aid with data collecting.
The owner of the Konkan Weather blog, Abhijit Modak praised the decision but suggested that IMD should also consider installing AWS in Thane and Kalyan-Dombivli.
According to weather experts, more weather stations are required in the region due to the significant disparity between the recordings in Mumbai city and the outskirts. The AWS in Kharghar will help improve weather data collection in the area and assist with accurate weather forecasting.
Also Read: Navi Mumbai: Civic Body Starts Special Treatment Room For Heatstroke Patients
Share
Tweet
