Sri Lanka’s Meteorology Department has taken measures to strengthen its weather forecasting system, in light of the continuous impacts the nation faces due to the seasonal inclement weather conditions.
Speaking to the media, Met Department Director General Athula Karunanayake said at present, the department can only predict up to 150mm of rain.
He said, therefore, steps have been taken to obtain a Doppler weather radar, which is a type of radar used to locate precipitation, calculate its motion, and estimate its type (rain, snow, hail, etc.).
Athula Karunanayake said Sri Lanka expects to receive the Doppler system soon and it is to be received as a gift from Japan under the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
He added that by receiving the Doppler weather radar the Met Department can inform the expected rainfall before the rains begin and can predict over 450mm of rain.
The Met Department Director General also revealed that as the existing weather forecasting system is insufficient, measures have been taken to upgrade it.
Athula Karunanayake said preparations have been made to commence the upgrade with the assistance of the World Bank. (Newswire)