Raipur. Climate change is the biggest problem of the world today. We have to be more capable and prepared to face its adverse effects. Governor Ramen Deka expressed these sentiments while inaugurating a one-day workshop organized by the Meteorological Department here today. The India Meteorological Department is celebrating its 150th year of services this year. On this occasion, a one-day workshop of the stakeholders of the department was organized today in the Convention Hall of New Circuit House Raipur, which was inaugurated by Governor Ramen Deka.
On this occasion, Deka praised the services of the department and said that due to their tireless services, today we are able to better deal with the risks associated with natural disasters and climate change. The Governor said that Chhattisgarh is an important agricultural producer state with a diverse range of crops and agricultural practices, which vary from the plateau of Bastar in the south to the fertile plains of the Mahanadi basin in the central part of the state and the hilly region in northern Chhattisgarh. Meteorology has a very important contribution in our agriculture. Our farmers get a lot of help from accurate weather information. This information is very useful in an agriculture-based state like Chhattisgarh.
The Governor said that the accuracy of the weather forecast has increased continuously which has proved to be very helpful in reducing the loss of life and property during disasters like tsunami, cyclone. He said that weather forecast is useful in many socio-economic areas ranging from a common citizen’s family function.
The Governor also praised the work of the Meteorological Centre established in Raipur. He said that it is playing an important role in disseminating weather information and forecast from the state level to the Panchayat level. The services provided by the Meteorological Centre are being availed not only by farmers but also by disaster management, aviation, forest resources, urban planning, mining, transport, health, Indian Air Force, security forces and the general public.
He expressed confidence that the India Meteorological Department will continue to successfully fulfill its mission in the coming years and will play an important role in making the country a global power in weather and climate services. In the program, Director General of India Meteorological Department Dr. Mrityunjay Mahapatra highlighted the activities of the department. Professor Girish Chandel, Vice Chancellor of Indira Gandhi Agricultural University Raipur, gave information about the work being done in the interest of agriculture and farmers with the cooperation of the Meteorological Department. The welcome address in the program was given by Samanti Sarkar, Chief Officer of Meteorological Center Raipur. On this occasion, stakeholders of the Meteorological Department, officials of various departments of the Central and State Government, meteorologists and students were present.