KAKKANAD: The Automatic Rain Gauge (ARG) systems installed by the Indian Meteorological Department across the state are in a dysfunctional state. The ARG is an instrument used by meteorologists and hydrologists to gather and measure the amount of rainfall and temperature over a set period of time. The measured data will be uploaded to the satellite and then to the department website.
The website of the IMD-http://www.imdaws.com- shows that the system is functional only in six districts in the state whereas it is dysfunctional in districts such as Alappuzha, Kasargod, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Palakkad and Thrissur. In Palakkad and Thrissur, the gauge system is partially working as it could only update the temperature of the locality on the website.
It is pointed out that the lack of maintenance by the Indian Meteorological Department has made the ARG system non-functional. With the monsoon strengthening in the state, the data on weather, rainfall and temperature have a major role to play in forcasting natural calamities. However the authorities are turning a blind eye to the dysfunctional ARG Systems which would otherwise have been of immense help. Ernakulam, Kakkanad, Keerampara, Neeleswaram, Neryamangalam and Muvattupuzha are the places where the technology has been installed but all efforts seem to be vain. “There is no data of rainfall available on the website for the past several months and not a single person has been deputed for its maintenance in the district” said an official in the Disaster Management department who regularly watches the weather trend.
He also added that attempt to communicate with the department is a Herculian task as no one will attend the calls if the enquiry number is dialled. “The provided contact number of the state head 0471-2322471 in in vain. I couldn’t have get any one on line for past several months,” official said.
As a part of the second-phase of the IMD modernisation drive, 2250 ARGSs have been installed across the country. In Kerala, Kottayam is the only district which doesn’t have an ARGS facility. Manjeswaram in Kasargod, Panniyoor, Mattanur and Cheruthazham in Kannur, Mananthavady, Pookot and Meenangadi in Wayanad, Peruvannamuzhi and Thamarasseri in Kozhikode, Aanakkayam in Malappuram, Kanjirapuzha, Meenkara and Eramayoor in Palakkad, Vilangankunnu, Enamakkal, Vayanthala and Chimmani in Thrissur, Kakkanad, Keerampara, Neeleswaram, Neryamangalam and Muvattupuzha in Ernakulam, Thodupuzha in Idukki, Kurudamannil and Konni in Pathanamthitta, Anchal and Thenmala in Kollam and Peringamala and Perukavila in Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha are the stations where the systems are installed.