Visakhapatnam:
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had issued advance warnings predicting extreme weather conditions in Uttarakhand before the flash-floods in June, its chief said on Friday.
Denying allegation that the department had failed to predict extreme weather conditions in Uttarakhand, Director General of IMD Dr L S Rathore said, "Early warnings had been issued about the approaching heavy rains in the hilly region."
"Tropic cyclone forecasts by the department have tremendously improved in the country, which in turn reduced fatalities during calamities. Very few deaths were being reported due to electrocution and other reasons," he told reporters.
The accuracy in weather forecast is increasing as the department is getting equipped with advanced technology, he claimed.
"Adequate information about weather will be provided at block levels to help farmers take decision about sowing, cultivation and other agricultural processes. The aim is to minimise the impact of adverse weather on crops and impact of extreme events," he said.
Rathore said that in the 12th five-year plan, the IMD has been working on better monitoring mechanism to mitigate adverse impact of thunderstorms in mountain areas.
"We have been spending on radars and satellite systems for more precision in forecasting," he said.
The INSAT 3D satellite would improve the observational system of the department, which would further facilitate in the accurate data integration.
