BHUBANESWAR: The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, and India Meteorological Department (IMD) have jointly started a study to understand the monsoon activity over Orissa in general and the Mahanadi delta, in particular. The study is expected to generate data which will help accurate short-term prediction of monsoon activity in the State which is so dependent on the rains for its economy. Orissa receives over 1200-mm rain during a year and most of it comes from the south-west monsoon. A part of the Continental Tropical Convergence Zone (CTCZ) Programme of the Ministry of Earth Science, the study uses a micro radio metre which has been installed at the IMD office here. The equipment will generate data on clouds at different atmospheric levels. “It can produce information about cloud height, temperature and humidity among other parameters on a regular basis. What we collect, on the other hand, is periodic, only during particular times of the day,” Director, IMD, Orissa, SC Sahu said. The radio meter can generate data in two segments - clouds up to 4 km and 10 km from surface level. Since it is installed in the Capital, the data generated will apply in a range of 15 km to 20 km. Since convective clouds cause most of the rains in the City, the study will provide information on convection patterns. The study, which will be carried out during the monsoon, will continue for two years. Prof GS Bhatt of IISc, Bangalore, is carrying out the study.
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