Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on the occasion of virtually inaugurating ceremony .The Accurate weather forecast was not only vital for the farmers to protect their crops from natural calamities but also help in tourism development as the tourists can decide about their travel plans according to the climate. This was stated by Union Minister for Earth Sciences, Health and Family Welfare and Science and Technology Dr. Harsh Vardhan after virtual inauguration of First Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) installed at Kufri, Shimla and at Mukteshwar, Nainital in Uttrakhand on the occasion of 146th India Meteorological Department Foundation Day.

While addressing the occasion virtually Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur thanked the Union Minister for dedicating Radar at Kufri, Shimla. He said that two more Radars would be installed at Mandi and Dalhousie in Chamba district of the State. He said that site had already been finalized at Mandi and site for Radar at Dalhousie would be finalized soon.

Chief Minister said that at present Radar installed at Kufri was on test mode for a period of two weeks and thereafter its data would be used for forecasting purposes. He said that range of this Radar was upto 100 kilometres in radial distance. He said that it would observe and provide the weather data of 100 kilometres in all directions, which would be used for forecasting purpose especially for short range forecast. He said that more précised area specific weather forecast and warning would be issued for particular place, for the weather phenomenon like thunderstorm, lighting, hailstorm, heavy rainfall/snowfall, gusty winds etc.

Jai Ram Thakur said that following basic information from DWR would be obtained reflectivity- a measure of water content in the cloud and it would give the base and height of the cloud including area of the particular cloud cell and movement and direction of the clouds. He said that this Centre would help the horticulturists and farmers of the State by providing them accurate information regarding weather.

Chief Minister said that DWR Kufri would run round the clock and it is fully automatic and computerized programme based. He said that it would transmit the data in various digital format and picture form.Chief Minister of Uttrakhand Trivendra Singh Rawat also addressed the occasion virtually.

Secretary Ministry of Earth Sciences Dr. M. Rajeevan welcomed Union Minister, Chief Ministers of Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand and other dignitaries on the occasion.

Head and Sc-G, Regional Meteorological Centre Anand Sharma presented vote of thanks.Member of Parliament Suresh Kashyap, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology K.K. Pant, Special Secretary Revenue Sudesh Kumar Mokhta and other senior officers of the State Government were present at Shimla.