Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, urged the Centre to increase the disaster fund to the state as it could face the same crisis as Joshimath.
Shimla,UPDATED: Jan 16, 2023 10:02 IST
Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was virtually addressing the inauguration function regarding setting up two Doppler Weather Radar. (Photo/File)
By Manjeet Sehgal: Expressing apprehension that the hill state might face the same fate as Joshimath in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged the Centre to increase the disaster fund to the state.
The chief minister was virtually addressing the inauguration function regarding setting up two Doppler Weather Radar when he raised concerns about some regions in the hill state that are prone to land subsidence. He also urged the Union Science Minister Jitendra Singh to visit the state to discuss the issue.
Doppler Weather Radar is designed to provide better and improved weather services for timely forecasts, warnings and weather data.
“The state could not effectively plan for these sliding regions with adequate technology. We require four dedicated Doppler weather radar systems for Himachal”, said Sukhu said while adding, “the phenomena could increasingly threaten people and property.”
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The chief minister said that nearly 30 per cent of the area in Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti districts was experiencing cloud bursts, and there were reports of lands developing cracks and sliding.
“Around two to three years ago, there was a cloudburst in Kinnaur which damaged not only life and property but also the hydropower projects,” remarked the CM.
The state capital Shimla and its historic ridge have been sinking for three to four decades.
The IMD on Sunday commissioned four doppler weather radars (DWRs) in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir, which will bolster its weather monitoring capabilities in the western Himalayan region.
DWRs are installed in the Chamba district and Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, Jitendra Singh said the number of doppler radars in the county has increased from 15 in 2013 to 37 in 2023 and assured that the country would add 25 more radars in the next two to three years, bringing the number to 62, further adding he said, “the entire country will be covered by doppler radars by 2025.”
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