Uttar Pradesh may send satellite to space for weather warning: CM Yogi Adityanath

Lucknow ( Raghwendra Pratap Singh) : Emphasising the importance of accurate and timely forecasts in managing the impacts of weather-related disasters, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday said his administration was committed to improving the observation and monitoring network in the state to enable more efficient early warning systems.

The chief minister was speaking at the inauguration of the Regional Meteorological Centre here, which has been created by upgrading the existing Lucknow Meteorological Centre. Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh was also present on the occasion.

The chief minister said the weather observation network in Uttar Pradesh had expanded significantly in the last few years, and the state government was making efforts to fill the gaps that remain. He said the state government was even considering sending a satellite into space dedicated to monitoring weather-related parameters specific to Uttar Pradesh. He said his government had initiated discussions with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for this purpose.

The chief minister said the establishment of the regional meteorological centre would also help the state in this endeavour. “During meetings on excessive rainfall, drought, lightning, and other seasonal issues, discussions with meteorological and related departments have often highlighted how timely and accurate information helps in formulating the right strategy,” Adityanath said.

The chief minister said Uttar Pradesh now had 450 Automatic Weather Stations and 2,000 Automatic Rain Gauges installed at the block level. These systems provide farmers with accurate rainfall information. The equipment collects real-time data on rainfall, temperature, wind speed, and wind direction, helping in weather analysis and studies. He said X-Band Doppler Weather Radars were being installed in Azamgarh, Varanasi, Aligarh, Jhansi, and Lucknow. These will help monitor storms, heavy rainfall, and hailstorms.

Lightning detection sensors have also been installed. Timely MMS alerts are received through the Government of India’s SACHET (System for Advanced Communication and Holistic Emergency Transmission) platform,” he said, adding that these measures had already helped prevent loss of life and property.

Districts such as Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Chandauli face a high risk of lightning strikes. Earlier, every year, 100 to 150 people used to lose their lives due to lightning. Four to five years ago, 90 deaths occurred in a single day between Prayagraj and Patna, including 30 in Uttar Pradesh and 60 in Bihar. Following this, during a meeting of NDRF, SDRF, MDMA, and the India Meteorological Department, I questioned who would prevent such deaths and whether technology could help. The departments confirmed that it was possible. As a result of implementing the Early Warning System, annual deaths in these districts have reduced to just around a dozen,” the chief minister said.