Patrolling has been intensified in dry areas; situation to be reviewed end of the month

Photo: Special Arrangement

Not to be disturbed: Elephants crossing the road at the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve near Udhagamandalam.

A recent report by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has pointed out that 2009 received the third worst rainfall since 1901, behind 1918 when there was a 25 per cent deficiency and 1972 when the deficiency was 24 per cent of the Long Period Average. The report, released in January, was prepared by the National Climate Centre, IMD, Pune.

Pune The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has embarked on a nationwide project to install automatic rain gauge stations across the country to ensure there is real time mapping of the rainfall.

The Forest Department is desperately hoping for a good spell of rain and snow over the next two days to break the persistent dry spell in the hill state which has thrown the winter plantation programme out of gear.

As part of its modernisation programme aimed at enhancing weather monitoring facilities, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is installing a network of 187 automatic rain gauge stations across the state.

When installed, the network would help in accurate collection of rainfall data from various parts of the state. It would update information on an hourly basis.

The Adityapur Industrial Area Development Authority (Aiada) will teach industrialists how to install the rainwater harvesting system at their units.

CREDIBILITY issues continue to dog the Inter-governmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). The UN climate change body is now being charged that its claim on disappearing Amazonian forests is based on a report by environmental activists while that on disappearing ice from the world