Weather, pollution forecast system SAFAR launched for Mumbai

MUMBAI: Union minister for Science & Technology and Earth Science Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan launched SAFAR-Mumbai, a monitoring and forecast system conceived to provide three days weather information with health advisories, levels of UV radiation and pollution among others.

System of Air Quality & weather Forecasting and Research (SAFAR) has been developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, in association with Regional Meteorological Center Mumbai-IMD, and the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM).

Speaking on the occasion, Vardhan praised the Meteorological department whose weather forecasts for farmers and fishermen, he said, have contributed towards the economic development of the country to the tune of Rs 32,000 crore.

"Our Met department is technically qualified and equipped to make forecasts on weather. There is a lot of misunderstanding in the public about this. The department is doing a very good job," he said.

The Union minister said it is the job of everyone to ensure that air pollution is reduced and this can be done through SAFAR.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was also present on the occasion, said SAFAR was a responsibility given to the state by the Centre, which it needed to fulfill.

SAFAR-Mumbai will deliver services, by translating technical data into information, like color-coded index based current and 3-days forecast with health advisories, severity of UV radiation with associated skin advisories, current and 3-days advance forecast, tidal levels and severe weather alert for extreme pollution and weather events, and accounting location-wise sources of air pollution.