After years of anticipation, Wayanad is set to receive a critical upgrade in weather monitoring. The Kerala government is poised to formalize an agreement for installing an X-Band Doppler Weather Radar at the Pazhassi Raja College premises in Pulppalli. This initiative aims to strengthen climate surveillance and disaster readiness in the region.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) confirmed that a three-party Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) will be signed on Wednesday in Thiruvananthapuram between the state, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), and the college administration. The land, managed by the Sulthan Bathery Diocese under the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church, was offered after a special request by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to church leaders, including Catholicos Baselios Cardinal Cleemis.
A 30-square-meter area will be provided rent-free for 30 years. In return, KSDMA and IMD will assist the college in introducing a disaster management course on campus. IMD will be responsible for the setup, maintenance, and operation of the radar system.
Currently stationed at Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Bengaluru, the radar is primed for deployment and will cover a 100 km radius, aiding weather forecasting in parts of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. However, IMD director Neetha K Gopal cautioned that monsoon rains could delay installation.
This radar comes in response to the tragic 2024 Wayanad landslides that claimed over 300 lives, exposing gaps in early warning systems
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