As many as 54 locations of Jharkhand would be hooked to automatic weather forecasting system (AWS). This would take the number of such locations to 114 across the State, as the Jharkhand Space Application Centre is hobnobbing with the State Government to identify those locations where AWS' would be installed. The JSAC, the coordinating agency, got approval from the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to move ahead in the direction.The approval for 54 locations is part of the sanctioned limit of 114 that was given assent to in 2010-11. The total approved locations were expected to be covered in two phases however only 60 locations were covered in phase-1 and phase-2 could not begin for unknown reasons.
The AWS would be linked to a satellite to transmit real-time automatic weather update for timely update to the people of the State especially monsoon dependent farmers."We started pursuing the matter and got approval by June 15. We are in the process of identifying locations. We have to do any how and there are certain processes to follow. Still I am hopeful that all 54 AWS would be installed in one year," said Director of JSAC, Sarvesh Singhal.The JSAC has requested the State Government to indentify stations for AWS However, the long drawn process till providing satellite linkage includes naming in-charge for the stations to man the AWS, notifying the ISRO about names of in-charge appointed by the State Government, green signal from the space organisation to begin procurement of the monitoring equipment besides preparing other infrastructure for the putting in the equipment.
Identification of places for AWS usually takes longer time of all the process owing to the additional responsibility of protection against theft of the costly equipment. Also, the usual guideline for distance between two equipments is 15-km from two sides as it is capable of forecasting weather in 15X15-km areas around it. As the block offices were covered in phase-1, the later phase is likely to concentrate on other government buildings to insulate the devices from theft or damage."This time we would want it to be installed at police stations and places where they have not been fitted at. Since there is security concern so sometimes organisations where they are installed are consulted before going ahead with the process. Identification is decided by two broad norms," added Singhal.The equipments would benefit farmers as setting up the devices in agricultural areas is one of the criteria besides choosing government buildings to place the weather monitoring system. The AWS would facilitate prediction of weather through satellite feed that would help in monitoring and forecasting without too much of human involvement.