4 More Lightning-Detection Networks To Come Up In Odisha As SOA Renews MoU With IITM Pune

Lightning & Thunderstorm Study In Odisha: SOA Renews MoU With IITM Pune

Bhubaneswar: Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan Deemed to be University (SOA) on Monday renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) five years ago for joint collaboration in studying lightning and thunderstorm phenomena.

The fresh MoU, signed by IITM Director Dr R Krishnan and SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda for another five years, makes provision for IITM helping to enhance lightning detection network in Odisha from the existing four locations to eight with a radius of 100 km.

The current lightning detection networks under the project, facilitated by SOA, are in Bhubaneswar, Balasore, Sambalpur and Rayagada.

The new locations to be added to the list are Berhampur, Keonjhar, Balangir and Angul.

SOA and IITM Pune are already involved in various experiments to study lightning and thunderstorm phenomena as well as electrical parameters of the atmosphere. They have got good rate of success in prediction of thunderstorms and lightning in blocks across Odisha.

As per the new agreement, SOA and IITM will explore the possibility of involving India Meteorological Department (IMD), Bhubaneswar, for operationalisation of forecasting location and time of occurrence of thunderstorm and associated lightning in block and gram panchayat level as well as flash drought in western Odisha.

Efforts will also be made to include DAMINI network, Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA), state government systems and Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVK) to disseminate and create awareness among the people to bring down lightning-related casualties.

SOA and IITM will undertake extensive steps to enhance lightning and flash drought prediction in drought-prone districts of western Odisha with emphasis on joint Research and Development efforts, joint guidance of research students and regular publication of scientific research papers.