IMD to install 30 new ARGs across Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is getting ready to welcome this monsoon by installing more weather stations. As part of its modernisation programme, the IMD is setting up 30 automatic rain gauge stations (ARG) at various locations in the state. The state currently has only 15 ARGs. So, the total 45 ARGs are expected to give more localised and real time information on rainfall.
The new ARGs are being installed as part of the second-phase of the IMD modernisation drive, where a network of 2,250 ARGs will be installed across the country. The new ARGs will come up in all districts except Kottayam. The places which will get ARGs are Manjeswaram (Kasargod), Panniyoor, Mattanur and Cherutazham (Kannur), Mananthavady, Pookot and Meenangadi (Wayanad), Peruvannamuzhi and Thamarasseri (Kozhikode), Aanakkayam (Malappuram) , Kanjirapuzha, Meenkara and Eramayoor (Palakkad), Vilangankunnu, Enamakkal, Vyanthala and Chemoni (Thrissur), Kakkanad, Keerampara, Neeleswaram, Neryamangalam and Moovattupuzha (Ernakulam), Thodupuzha (Idukki),  Kurudamannil and Konni (Pathanamtitta), Anchal and Thenmala (Kollam) and Peringamala and Perukavila (Thiruvananthapuram) and Alappuzha.
Of the 30 new automatic rain gauge stations, 11 will record temperature and relative humidity too. The stations, which record temperature, will come up at Manjeswaram, Mattanur, Manathavady, Peruvannamuzhi, Kanjirapuzha, Vilangankunnu, Kakkanad, Thodupuzha, Thenmala, Peringamala and Alappuzha.
“All the new ARGs will be commissioned by May 25. By this monsoon, the state will get a localised and accurate data of rainfall,” said P S Biju, scientist at IMD.
“People can log on to the website www.imdaws.com to get information on rainfall,” he added.
Meanwhile, the IMD will set up an observatory in Palakkad, one of the hottest places in the state, by next month.

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