Indian Meteorological Department to launch TV channel

BHUBANESWAR: The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is going to launch a television channel by the end of this year to provide weather news, an official said on Wednesday.

The channel, to be launched as a public-private partnership, would initially be on the air for six hours every day. It will keep people informed about the latest on the weather front, Director General of Meteorology Air Vice Marshal Ajit Tyagi said.

The central government has earmarked Rs.9 billion during the 11th Five Year Plan for the modernisation and upgradation of the meteorological centres in the country.

IMD is going to give priority to upgrading surface observatory, communication, forecasting and public relations, Tyagi said.

Orissa had been witnessing frequent depressions and cyclonic storms and "we are upgrading our systems here". At least 30 automatic weather stations and 60 rain gauge stations would be set up in the state, he said.

Besides, the central government has decided to set up three seismological observatories in the state, he said.