Lucknow, June 8: In a significant boost to weather forecasting and disaster management in Uttar Pradesh, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, inaugurated a new Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) in Lucknow on Monday.
During the event, Dr. Singh highlighted the unprecedented expansion of the country’s meteorological infrastructure over the past decade. This development has led to more accurate, localized, and impact-based weather warnings. He noted that there has been a historic transformation in India’s meteorological services and forecasting systems, resulting in timely and precise weather information for citizens.
In 2014, India had only 17 Doppler weather radars, with many states lacking even a single radar. Today, that number has increased to 50, and under the central government’s ‘Mission Weather,’ an additional 50 radars will be established in the next two years. This expansion will bring the total to nearly 100 Doppler weather radars, significantly enhancing real-time weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities.
Dr. Singh stated that weather forecasting services have evolved from broad regional estimates to highly localized and short-term forecasts. This advancement aids farmers, disaster management agencies, the aviation sector, the tourism industry, and the general public in making timely decisions.
Referring to Uttar Pradesh, the Union Minister emphasized the state’s geographical diversity and climate challenges, making advanced meteorological services crucial. Timely warning systems are essential for public safety in a state prone to floods, droughts, heatwaves, storms, and lightning.
He mentioned that in 2014, Uttar Pradesh had only one Doppler weather radar, which has now increased to three, with six new radars set to be installed soon. During this period, the number of automatic weather stations in the state has risen from 59 to 107, while automatic rain gauges have increased from 132 to 140, and lightning detection sensors have grown from zero to seven.
Dr. Singh also noted that aviation meteorological services are now available at 11 airports in Uttar Pradesh, providing crucial support to the state’s rapidly developing aviation infrastructure. The newly established Regional Meteorological Center in Lucknow will serve as a key hub for weather services in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and surrounding areas. This will enhance regional weather monitoring, forecasting, and warning dissemination. Future upgrades will include advanced Doppler weather radars and wind profilers.
He emphasized that an improved forecasting system plays a vital role in reducing risks associated with sudden floods, cloudbursts, storms, lightning, avalanches, and other extreme weather events. However, he clarified that the success of weather services depends not only on the accuracy of forecasts but also on timely actions taken by local authorities and citizens in response to warnings.
Dr. Singh urged citizens, local bodies, and disaster management agencies to take weather-related early warnings available on digital platforms seriously and incorporate them into planning and decision-making processes.
He concluded that the establishment of the Regional Meteorological Center in Lucknow is a significant step towards empowering India’s weather and climate services, enhancing forecasting capabilities, strengthening disaster management, and providing extensive benefits to agriculture, aviation, and public safety sectors.
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