The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has developed an indigenous ‘Decision Support System’ that has enhanced the accuracy of cyclone risk forecasting by more than 50 per cent compared to the previous decade, a PIB press release stated.
The exercise was conducted in hybrid mode at Mausam Bhavan, New Delhi. During the exercise, a web-based Dynamic Composite Risk Atlas (Web-DCRA) was developed by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) under the National Cyclone Risk Mitigation Project (NCRMP).
This system provides location-specific forecasting and is now available to district disaster managers across the country. The Director General of IMD, Dr. Mohahotra, highlighted the achievements of the department in recent times in cyclone forecasting. He also informed about the ongoing collaboration of various government agencies and disaster management organizations in improving the preparedness of various stakeholders during major cyclones.
The exercise included the participation of representatives from government departments of all coastal states and union territories, senior officials from Director General Shipping, Director General of Lighthouses and Lightships, National Hydrographic office, Airport Authority of India, Port Authority, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of fisheries, Rural development, All India Radio, Doordankan News, and Press Information Bureau.
The Director General of IMD, Dr. Mohahotra, expressed confidence that the department is equipped to scale new heights and reach out to every household with weather information at any time and anywhere.
He highlighted the department’s efforts in the areas of research, development, and technological innovation, which will strengthen its credibility as a trusted source of weather information for various stakeholders.