KARACHI: Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) has successfully activated a modern doppler weather radar in Karachi. The Doppler radar is capable of forecasting rainfall in a radius of about 450kms and strong winds in a radius of about 200kms.
The new radar, which was built at a cost of around Rs1.58 billion, is also capable of providing timely reports of cyclones and other tropical storms in the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal regions.
The weather device would be able to detect conditions much faster as compared it its analogue predecessor which was installed in 1991. An observation system was set up on the third floor, where all the radar data is collected. All the weather devices are installed on the thirteenth floor of the Doppler radar system.
Talking to M.M News, met department Director Sardar Sarfraz said that the new radar has twice the wavelength as compared to the analogue equipment, which had about a wavelength of 10cm.
“The new device was supposed to be activated before the monsoon rains of 2020, however, due to the pandemic, the operation was delayed,” he added.
Giving details regarding the radar, he said, “Unusual activities including thunderstorms, cloud masks and others can be observed simultaneously from the east, west, north, and south.” He added that the device would also be able to predict rainfall in advance, in both millimetres and centimetres.
Sarfaraz further stated that the radar would also be helpful for the aviation industry as it would be able to gauge strong winds. “Flights and ships will be protected from hazards. The system of international shipping and shipping traffic forecasting will be improved. A quick warning will be possible in case of storms, rains, hot weather and other weather disasters,” he added.
“People living in the coastal areas of Balochistan and Sindh will be provided with accurate forecasting and warning,” he said, adding that the new radar would reduce the loss of life and property due to natural disasters in Pakistan.
