Need to develop earthquake warning systems: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday urged scientists to develop warning systems for earthquakes while noting that advanced weather forecasts have significantly reduced casualties and minimised economic losses caused by cyclonesAddressing a function to celebrate 150 years of the India Meteorological Department IMD he also lauded the institution as a symbol of Indias scientific journeyModi noted how advanced weather forecasting has significantly reduced casualties during cyclones and minimised economic losses boosting investor confidence and building economic resilienceThe prime minister also launched Mission Mausam for developing cuttingedge weather surveillance technologies and systems implementing highresolution atmospheric observations nextgeneration radars and satellites and highperformance computersWe have launched Mission Mausam to make India weather ready and climate smart Modi saidThe celebrations were attended by the World Meteorological Organisation Secretary General Celeste Saulo Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh Earth Sciences Secretary M Ravichandran IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra and a host of dignitariesModi also released the IMDs Vision2047 document for weather resilience and climate change adaptation a commemorative postage stamp and a coin to mark 150 years of the IMDMeteorology offers the most important support for the disaster management capability of any country To minimise the impact of natural disasters we need to maximise the efficiency of meteorology the prime minister saidHe recalled how the cyclone in Gujarats Kandla in 1998 and the 1999 Odisha super cyclone killed thousandsBut loss of life is minimal now because of better forecasts he saidReferring to his visit to Sonamarg in Jammu and Kashmir to inaugurate a 65 km tunnel on Monday Modi said the IMD had suggested that the inaugural function be held on January 13 which was a clear weather day in snowclad SonamargThe prime minister said Indias disaster management capabilities have significantly improved due to advancements in meteorological technology which has proved to be beneficial not only for the country but also for the global communityToday our Flash Flood Guidance system provides critical information to neighbouring countries including Nepal Bhutan Bangladesh and Sri Lanka Modi saidThe prime minister stressed on the need to work with future requirements in mind including developing warning systems for natural disasters like earthquakesThere is a need to develop warning systems for earthquakes and scientists and researchers should work in this direction Modi saidThe prime minister quoted from scriptures and ancient texts to highlight Indias rich history of expertise in understanding weather patternsHe said traditional knowledge was well documented refined and deeply studied in ancient texts like the Vedas Samhitas and Surya Siddhanta Tamil Nadus Sangam literature and the folk literature of Ghagh Bhaddari in the northWorks such as Krishi Parashar and Bruhat Samhita studied cloud formation and the mathematical work on planetary positions he notedThe prime minister also referred to the book PreModern Kutchi Navigation Techniques and Voyages which documents centuriesold maritime knowledge of Gujarats sailorsModi said that as IMDs weather forecasts become more accurate their importance will increase across various sectors industries and even in everyday lifeThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever