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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Alert systems revamped post-Wayanad
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A year after facing widespread criticism over the lack of timely warnings before the deadly landslide in Wayanad, central agencies such as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Geological Survey of India (GSI) have initiated major overhauls in their alert mechanisms. In a significant move to improve weather forecasting and disaster preparedness in Kerala's high ranges, the IMD is establishing its first radar station in Wayanad. The new X-band Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) is expected to enhance real-time monitoring, especially in areas where expanding ground-based observatories is difficult. 'Radar data is especially useful for rainfall analysis. It provides an indirect yet effective ground-level assessment,' said Neetha K Gopal, Director, IMD Kerala. Once operational, the radar will monitor rainfall within a 100-km radius, covering Wayanad and nearby regions in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. Though initial plans considered Kozhikode or Kannur, the radar location was shifted to Wayanad after the landslide that struck the district on July 30 last year.
New Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
Wayanad to get first weather radar, boosting disaster readiness in high ranges
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ending a long wait, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is setting up its first radar station in Wayanad, a move expected to significantly enhance weather forecasting and disaster preparedness in the high ranges. The X-band doppler weather radar system will be installed on land provided by the Pazhassiraja College in Pulpally. A 30-year lease agreement was signed on Wednesday between IMD, Kerala State Disaster Management Authority and college authorities. Given Wayanad's vulnerability to landslides, the installation is being hailed as a game changer. 'The radar will monitor rainfall within a 100km radius, covering Wayanad and adjoining areas in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu,' said IMD Kerala director Neetha K Gopal. The demand for a radar station in the region dates to 2010. Though the project was marked high-priority, identifying suitable land proved difficult. Locations in Kozhikode and Kannur were also considered before zeroing in on Wayanad. Official clearance came this April. Until now, Wayanad was not adequately covered by the Kochi radar, which hampered weather alerts and early warnings. Last year, a series of major landslides in Meppadi panchayat left nearly 300 people died. Minor mudslides have been reported this year in forested areas. Neetha clarified that while the radar itself does not predict landslides, it provides crucial rainfall data that supports forecasts by other central agencies. 'Landslides are impacts. The radar gives us better rainfall input, which feeds into impact-based forecasting,' she explained. The MoU marks a critical step toward setting up the facility. 'We've discussed electricity and internet connectivity. Once the land agreement is signed, we can proceed with the rest,' Neetha said. The radar system is being supplied by Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) at a cost of Rs 6 crore.
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Climate
- New Indian Express
After flood and intense heat, wind shakes up Kerala's disaster roster
The lack of a comprehensive tree-management policy on the part of local self-government institutions (LSGIs), apathy in invoking the Disaster Management Act to address tree-related hazards, and unchecked and haphazard hoardings on highrise buildings and roadsides have worsened the crisis. K G Thara, former head of the State Institute for Land and Disaster Management Centre, said that soil conservation should be given priority to protect trees against extreme weather events. She said the pruning of trees by local bodies is not happening in the state. 'Trees are toppling because they are not being protected. Trees are becoming fragile and unable to withstand heavy rain and wind because of top soil erosion. The cutting of trees is not at all a solution and we should not forget that trees also help mitigate many disasters. Soil conservation should be given more focus. Instead of disaster response we need to focus on all this to mitigate such disasters,' she said. Here to stay? IMD director Neetha K Gopal said that the south westerly wind was strong compared to average surface level wind the state experiences. 'Amini Island, which is our first observation point, recorded a wind speed of 80-90 km per hour over the past days. If all the elements driving the monsoon are favourable this might happen again. Last July, we had similar strong winds but the rain was less compared to this year,' said Neetha.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Monsoon arrives early in India: Here's what caused the unusual shift
Agency photo NEW DELHI: The southwest monsoon arrived in Kerala on Saturday, May 24, eight days ahead of its usual onset date of June 1, marking its earliest appearance on the Indian mainland since 2009, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. This early onset, according to IMD Scientist Neetha K Gopal, aligns with their official forecast which had projected monsoon arrival around May 27, with a margin of four days. 'Monsoon onset took place today, 24th May, and it is much ahead of its schedule. Normally, the standard monsoon arrival date in Kerala is 1st June, but IMD has already forecasted that the monsoon will reach early this year,' Gopal told ANI. 'The official forecast was 27th May with a model of 4 days. That means the monsoon could reach 4 days before 27th May or 4 days after 27th May. So, our forecast has also come true today.' The early monsoon has not only covered Kerala but also advanced into the Lakshadweep area, the south Arabian Sea, parts of the west-central and east-central Arabian Sea, and some parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra. It has also spread into the remaining areas of the Maldives and Comorin, many parts of Tamil Nadu, and the southwest and east-central Bay of Bengal, along with parts of Mizoram and the north Bay of Bengal. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Economic Storm Warning for Australia Fat Tail Daily Learn More Undo Conditions remain favourable for the monsoon to further advance into central Arabian Sea, Goa, more areas of Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, additional parts of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, and deeper into northeastern states and Sub-Himalayan West Bengal and Sikkim over the next two to three days. Why monsoon arrived early? The early arrival of the southwest monsoon is driven by a combination of favourable atmospheric and oceanic conditions. According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a low-pressure area developed over the Arabian Sea along with a trough line extending across Vidarbha. These systems significantly enhanced moisture inflow and atmospheric convection, accelerating the monsoon's advance over the Indian subcontinent. One of the earliest signs of this accelerated progression was the monsoon's arrival over the south Andaman Sea and adjoining areas on May 13, well ahead of the normal onset date of May 21. This early advancement helped set the pace for its swift movement toward Kerala. Additionally, neutral El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) conditions were observed during the period, which typically support a normal or stronger monsoon, unlike El Niño years that often suppress rainfall over India. Another contributing factor may have been reduced snow cover over the Himalayan region, a condition that historically correlates with more vigorous monsoon activity. The advancement is expected to benefit key sectors reliant on the monsoon, such as agriculture, fisheries, and livestock. Favourable monsoons not only help these sectors prepare better for extreme weather and climate change but also validate the economic importance of government investments in weather and forecasting systems. Significant initiatives like the Monsoon Mission and High Performance Computing-based forecasting systems have improved resource management, crop yields, and reduced weather-related losses in recent years. I MD data shows that the last time the monsoon hit the Indian coast earlier than this year was in 2009, when it arrived on May 23. Commenting on the northeast monsoon, B Amudha, head of the Regional Meteorological Centre, said, 'At present, we cannot say anything about the performance of the northeast monsoon on the basis of southwest monsoon. Let us monitor the progress, and then we will issue the long-range forecast. ' 'The normal date of onset of south west monsoon is June 1. This year Southwest monsoon has set in on 24th May. This is much earlier than the normal onset. If you look at the data from the past 16 years, in 2009, the monsoon set in on 23rd May,' she added. Meanwhile, a depression over the south Konkan coast is expected to move eastward and weaken into a well-marked low-pressure area over the next 12 hours. The IMD has issued red and orange alerts for multiple districts in Kerala over the coming days. On Saturday, red alerts were declared for Kasaragod and Kannur, while orange alerts were issued for 11 other districts including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, and Ernakulam. The IMD also reported heavy to very heavy rainfall in several parts of Kerala, Mahe, and coastal Maharashtra, as well as isolated heavy showers in South Interior Karnataka, Odisha, Bihar, Madhya Maharashtra, Goa, Uttarakhand, Vidarbha, Saurashtra, Kutch, and Tamil Nadu (including Puducherry and Karaikal) till 8 am on Saturday. 'For the next 2 days, we have a red alert in the Nilgiris district. The southwest monsoon primarily affects taluks like Ooty, people here are requested to follow precautions and not venture out unless in an the boating activities have been stopped for today, and it may remain like this for the next 2 days,' she told ANI. As the monsoon continues to advance rapidly, officials are keeping a close watch on its trajectory and associated weather developments across the country.
