Weather forecasting in hilly states to be improved: Reddy

New Delhi: The government will provide improved weather forecasting services to the hilly states in view of Uttarakhand tragedy, Union Minister S Jaipal Reddy said on Tuesday.

"Recent heavy rainfall and associated floods and a large scale devastation in Uttarakhand have posed great challenges for climate and hazard monitoring and warning systems in difficult hilly terrains. I assure full support of the government to render improved services to the people of the hilly states," the Science and Technology and Earth Sciences said, addressing the foundation day of the ministry of earth sciences here.

He said the Ministry is already spearheading a project to increase the Doppler network in Himalayan states in the next two to three years to improve weather forecasting.

Doppler radars are capable of predicting severe thunderstorms and generating accurate data on wind changes and rain clouds. Three of 15 such radars would be set up in Uttarakhand.

Reddy also said the 'agro-meteorological advisory services' and the 'potential fishing zone services' which have been "most applauded" for rendering good services would be expanded for further penetration.

The government, he said, is also prepared to make "adequate investment" in the 12th Plan Period to ensure better weather forecasting.

The life time excellence award for 2013 was conferred on acclaimed scientist Prof Roddam Narasimha at the function where, Director of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change, Imperial College London Sir Brian Hoskins, in his lecture said Indian monsoon influences significant proportion of world weather.