Need for Modern Weather Prediction Models: Kerala Chief Minister
Context:
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized the importance of developing modern, location-specific, and accurate weather prediction models to enable early disaster mitigation measures and save lives and property.
- Mr. Vijayan announced plans to develop a modern township in Wayanad for those displaced by recent landslides, addressing the immediate need for rehabilitation and housing.
Relevance:
GS-03 (Disaster Management)
INSAT-3DR:
- INSAT-3DR, along with INSAT-3D, plays a crucial role in India’s meteorological advancements by aiding the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in weather forecasting and monitoring.
Key Highlights
- Advanced Meteorological Satellite: INSAT-3DR, like its predecessor INSAT-3D, is equipped with an imaging system and an atmospheric sounder.
- Infrared Channels: It has multiple infrared channels ranging from longwave to shortwave bands, as well as a visible band.
- Enhanced Capabilities:
- Middle Infrared Imaging: Provides nighttime pictures of low clouds and fog.
- Thermal Infrared Imaging: Estimates Sea Surface Temperature (SST) with improved accuracy.
- Imaging System- Prediction and Monitoring:
- Snow and Clouds: The satellite differentiates snow and clouds by their solar reflectance and shortwave infrared absorption.
- Day Microphysics: Uses solar reflectance data at three wavelengths (visible, shortwave infrared, and thermal infrared) to determine image coloration.
- Night Microphysics: Evaluates the difference between thermal infrared signals to calculate image coloration.
Importance to India
- Weather Forecasting: INSAT-3DR uses radiometers and atmospheric sounders to track these parameters, aiding in cyclone and weather event monitoring.
- Technological Integration: Combines satellite data with ground-based observations from Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), the Global Telecommunication System (GTS), Agro-meteorological Towers (AGROMET), and Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) systems.
Some of the other Weather Forecasting Methods:
- Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) – Supported by ISRO
- Global Telecommunication System (GTS)
- Agro-meteorological Tower (AGROMET)
- Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) Systems
- Multi-Model Ensemble (MME)-based Forecasting System – Includes IMD’s Monsoon Mission Climate Forecasting System (MMCFS) Model
These methods are supported and augmented by IMD and various global climate prediction and research centres.
