Pakistan Meteorological Department modernisation programme
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ISLAMABAD (APP): Work on installation of new and state-of-the-art radars at Islamabad and Karachi is in progress with assistance of Japan to make weather forecast system more dynamic and consolidated.
These government of Japan had agreed to replace Islamabad and Karachi radars with latest technology at a total coat of Rs. 2.5 billion and 1.58 billion respectively.
18 new weather radars to be installed in Pakistan: PMD
Enumerating steps being taken by Aviation Division to make weather forecast system more dynamic, official sources on Saturday said keeping in view recurring flash flooding in Kalpani Nullah of Mardan, the government has provided funds to Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) for installation of radar.
Next year, this new radar at Mardan will be in operation and total cost of project is Rs. 230 million.
The sources said a consolidated proposal for modernization of PMD has also been submitted to higher authorities to tune of Rs. 19 billion.
Pakistan weather Radars to be replaced with state of the art technology
Pakistan Meteorological Department is an Attached Department of Cabinet Secretariat (Aviation Division) and is a technical and service department and provides services mainly in fields of meteorology, hydrology and seismology for fulfillment of its objectives and national obligations.
PMD's weather and climate observing network is spread all over Pakistan in 97 districts. The remaining 40 districts will be covered in a recent proposal submitted for funding. This network was supported with 7 radars which are also being replaced with latest technology. Computerized weather prediction models have been engaged for severe weather forecasts with 7 days lead-time.
Flood warning radars being purchased by Pakistan
Giving further details, the sources said Flood Forecasting Division at Lahore prepares flood forecasting and warning for riverine floods in major rivers.
A state-of-the-art Flash Flood Early Warning System has been successfully operating in Rawalpindi and Islamabad while enhancement in institutional capacities is underway, for which old equipments will be replaced with latest technology.
