THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is set to launch a special weather forecasting service for Sabarimala, starting this Mandala Pooja season, which is just two weeks away. The initiative mirrors forecasting practices used at major pilgrimage sites like Char Dham — Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
“We will provide a customised forecast for Sabarimala, focusing on key areas such as Sannidhanam, Pampa, and Nilackal. We will also offer ‘nowcast’ weather updates for three hours, which is ideal for pilgrims,” said IMD director (Kerala) Neetha K Gopal.
The seven-day forecast aims to assist pilgrims in planning their trips, while the nowcast will enhance preparedness. Sabarimala is especially susceptible to the northeast monsoon, which brings rapid cloud formation and intense rainfall, posing risks to thousands of pilgrims making the trek to the hill shrine, warned weather experts.
The home department has requested dedicated weather services for the area this season. The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) has also suggested that the IMD establish three automatic weather stations (AWSs) in Sannidhanam, Pampa, and Nilackal.
To support the new forecasts, the Meteorological Centre in Kerala plans to utilise existing resources, including the Doppler Weather Radar in Kochi, satellite imagery, and the AWS in Pathanamthitta.
“The proposal is to install AWSs in Sannidhanam, Pampa and Nilackal for future forecasts. The stations require regular upkeep,” said Neetha. The centre has discussed the proposal with its headquarters and approval is pending. M Ravichandran, secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), told TNIE that any proposal for weather forecasting facilities would be considered without delay.
‘We will consider various systems beyond AWS’
“I recently oversaw the installation of weather forecasting facilities in Kedarnath. We will consider various systems beyond just AWS,” he said, adding that manpower shortage at the centre would be addressed.
Apart from Char Dham in Uttarakhand, the IMD also provides weather forecasts for Amarnath Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir.
Currently, there are no surface observatories in Pathanamthitta, although there are rain gauge stations in Konni, Kurudamannil, and Tiruvalla, along with an AWS in Seethathode.
However, the district administration has frequently raised concerns regarding the functioning of the AWS.