The CM of Himachal Urges Center to Increase Disaster Fund for the State

Shimla: As Himachal Pradesh is prone to various kinds of natural calamities due to difficult topographical and climatic conditions, Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu has urged the central government to increase the disaster fund for the state.

These Doppler Weather Radars have been installed at Jot in the Chamba district and another at Murari Devi in ​​the Mandi district of the state. Virtually addressing the inauguration ceremony regarding the setting up of two Doppler Weather Radars for the State, he said that these radars would be capable of forecasting heavy rain, thunderstorm, and hailstorm within a radius of 100 km in all directions, especially for short-range forecasting.

“These radars will be able to forecast heavy rain, thunderstorm, and hailstorm within a 100-kilometer radius in all directions, especially for short-range forecasting. These radars will be helpful to improve area-specific forecasts and warnings for the State. They will also enhance weather monitoring capabilities and generate accurate data that will help the administration in making pre-arrangements to reduce damages caused due to weather-borne disasters,” Sukhu said. Union Minister of State (Independent Charge), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Doppler Weather Radars virtually from New Delhi on Sunday.

“One Doppler Weather Radar has already been installed at Kufri in Shimla district on January 15, 2021, and with the commissioning of these additional two radars, about 70% area of the State will be covered for the weather forecast. Still, about 30% area of Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti district will not be covered under these Radars,” Sukhu apprised this Union Minister.

The Chief Minister urged the Union Minister of State to provide additional radars for these districts so that these tribal districts are also covered.

“Cloud bursts have caused heavy damages in Kinnaur district in recent years, thus a proper weather forecast mechanism needed to be evolved to take preventive measures in advance. These incidents of cloud bursts have caused heavy damage to the area, particularly the power projects,” Himachal CM said.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretaries Onkar Sharma, R.D. Nazeem and Bharat Khera, Secretary Akshay Sood, Director Indian Meteorological Department M. Mahapatra and other senior officers were present on the occasion.