Setting up of Doppler radar delayed
HERALD REPORTER
PANJIM, MAY 14
Delay in setting up of Doppler radar coupled with the timely arrival of monsoons will force the state met department officials to have their rain forecast without this sophisticated gadget.
The monsoon is likely to arrive in Goa by first week of June as the pre monsoon showers have already begun in the state. The pre-monsoon showers were witnessed during the last week of April as well as in the beginning of May month.
Meteorological Observatory in-charge K V Singh said that it would be difficult to install Doppler radar before monsoons as the work on the construction of building is still going on.
The Doppler radar had arrived in Goa on April 8 via Mumbai. The department was expecting to get this gadget installed before arrival of the monsoon that is by May 30, which will help in rendering accurate forecast during monsoon.
Chief Minister Digamber Kamat had assured installation of this facility before rains as inaccurate warnings during ‘Phyan’ cyclone had killed 60 fisherman of Goa coast.
“The building which will house this equipment is still under process and it will take more time to get complete. Once its done experts from China will be visiting to install the gadget,” Singh said.
Since last six months, the Met department is working on modifying the radar building at Altinho with the help of Central Public Work Department (CPWD).
Singh said that the exact date of monsoons arrival can be specified only after its sets in Andaman.
“Approximately around May 20, monsoon will set in Andaman and it takes 15 days for it to hit Goa coast,” he said.
Monsoons are expected to arrive in Kerala on June 1, Singh predicted.
Singh said that Goa will experience normal monsoon for the year.
Along with Doppler radar, the department is also expecting to set up Automatic Rain Gauge (ARG) stations across the state to ensure that there is real time mapping of the rainfall.
