DEHRADUN: The rugged terrain of Kedarnath continues to pose a challenge for meteorologists, making accurate weather forecasting a daunting task. Unpredictable rain and snowfall patterns have left experts scrambling for answers.
In the wake of the devastating 2013 disaster, the government pledged to install Doppler radars to enhance weather forecasting capabilities in the region. However, 11 years on, the project remains mired in the tender process, sparking concern among geologists and meteorologists.
Geologists and meteorologists have expressed concern over the delay, emphasizing the necessity of installing Doppler radar to improve weather forecasting in the region.
Prof Yashpal Sundriyal, former Head of the Geology Department at HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, emphasized the need for accurate weather forecasting in the Kedarnath region during an exclusive interview with this daily.
“The flow of the Mandakini and Saraswati rivers in Garhwal has increased significantly,” Prof Sundriyal noted. “Moreover, the region’s weather has become a puzzle even for experts and scientists, leading to extensive damage during disasters.”
He stressed the importance of installing Doppler radar in the region to provide accurate weather forecasts, enabling timely safety measures in case of natural disasters. “It is crucial for the government to take immediate action and set up Doppler radar systems to mitigate the risks associated with unpredictable weather patterns,” Prof Sundriyal added.
Speaking to this newspaper, Dr Manish Mehta, a renowned glaciologist from the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), emphasized the intricacies of understanding the Himalayan region. “This area is extremely complicated and critical, with frequent occurrences of cloudbursts,” he explained.
According to Dr Mehta, the soil in Uttarakhand’s Himalayan region is fragile and young, making it prone to landslides and disasters. He attributes the increased frequency of these events to global climate change, which has significantly altered rain patterns in the area.
Importance
Prof Yashpal Sundriyal, former Head of the Geology Department at HNB Garhwal University, Srinagar, said th doppler will provide accurate weather forecasts, enabling timely safety measures in case of natural disasters