IMD to set up 100 weather stations in Arunachal Pradesh, near LAC

GUWAHATI: The IMD along with the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CES & HS) will install 100 automatic weather stations (AWSs) and automatic rain gauge stations (ARGs) for weather predictions in the frontier state of Arunachal Pradesh, some of which may come up in the most inaccessible places close to the LAC bordering China, IMD officials said.
An MoU to this effect was signed between IMD and CES & HS, Arunachal Pradesh government in Itanagar on Monday in the presence of Union minister of earth sciences Kiren Rijiju. "People of Arunachal Pradesh will be benefited with precise weather forecasts and warnings with the increase in meteorological observations in the state," said Rijiju.
The MoU was signed by Repo Ronya, secretary, science and technology, Arunachal Pradesh government and KN Mohan, head, Regional Meteorological Centre (Guwahati) of IMD. "The AWSs and ARGs will come up within Arunachal Pradesh, though some may be installed close to the China border. Lands are ready for installation," Mohan told TOI, adding that some of the locations don't even have mobile phone networks and data will be transmitted to the satellite.
"We have been informed that land acquisition has already been done and installation of the 100 AWSs and AWGs at the new sites, where the weather observation mechanism was lacking, will start immediately," Mohan said.
Tana Tage, director, CES & HS said this MoU will have long-term impact on the research activities for the societal benefits to be undertaken by the institute.