VIJAYAWADA: The launch of ISRO’s prestigious lightning alert App has been postponed. In fact a grand launch had been planned in Vijayawada on June 7, which was to be jointly inaugurated by SHAR director P Kunhikrishnan and Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu. However, due to some technical issues, the launch has been postponed. Adding to this, the name of the App has not yet been finalised, as the team is coming up with different names like Vajrapath, AP Weather, Vajra etc.
The State government has been making efforts to effectively montior weather. For that the State has come up with its long-time research project lightning strike detection and alerting system, which is the first-of-its kind in the country. Interestingly, a students’ team also joined the project.
The project had been taken up by AP State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) and AP State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) having an MOU with ISRO on sharing the satellite services required for weather forecasting, which will be used to monitor and alert the lightning strikes.
11 sensors placed in State
Currently, 11 sensors have been placed in Anantapur, Kuppam, Visakhapatnam and other parts of the State to test the lightning alert system. Each sensor tower has a range of 200 km, which has been installed in a zigzag pattern. The partnering organisation, ISRO has also successfully roped in US-based company Earth Networks to analyse the electromagnetic waves and to spot the exact location of lightning.
“The system helps us predict lightning, wind speed, rainfall and temperature, but majorly focuses to detect lightning in advance. As per the NCRB data, majority of people dying in natural calamities are due to lightning strikes. In order to save the lives of people and livestock and protect monuments, we have come up with this technology. The project is being developed at a low cost,” said S Varadarajan, APSCHE secretary.
Sources at ISRO said that the project would also be used for alerting planes and ships during lightning strikes. “Once the project is completed, the airlines and ships can subscribe to us for sending lightning alerts. This would also generate income to the State,” the sources said.