Mumbai gets a better weather forecast system

MUMBAI: The Mumbai chapter of System of Air Quality and weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) was inaugurated on Tuesday. The SAFAR system conceived and developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune in association with Regional Meteorological Centre (IMD)-Mumbai and the BMC will provide information to Mumbaikars like air quality, weather information and tide levels, extreme event alerts for weather and pollution and location wise sources of air pollution.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union minister of science and technology and earth sciences Government of India and Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis inaugurated SAFAR for Mumbai on Tuesday. Mumbaikars can get advantage of this information either by downloading the SAFAR application or through the digital display boards erected in Mumbai on 14 locations like Colaba, Borivali, Malad, Chembur and Andheri. Dr. Gurfan Beig, project director SAFAR said that this is one of the best ways to bring science and technology to the door step of common man.
Fadnavis dedicated this facility not only to Mumbaikars but also to the entire nation. He said, “Climate change is a challenge before mankind. Last week itself Mumbai witnessed heavy rainfall leading the city to come to a standstill. We need to provide the city good quality of life which means not just physical infrastructure but also concerns the aspects like the air we breathe. This information which will be displayed would keep reminding us about the pollution levels being brought under control if they are in excess.” Fadnavis thanked Dr. Harsh Vardhan for providing one of the best gifts to his state in the form of SAFAR.
The system of SAFAR already has a chapter in Delhi and Pune and after Mumbai there are plans of taking this system to places like Ahmedabad, Kolkatta and Chennai. Dr. Madhavan N Rajeevan, director of IITM Pune said that Mumbai is one of the most polluted cities with air quality deteriorating thanks to various human activities and therefore SAFAR is aimed to help in keeping a tab on the levels of pollution and weather.
L.S.Rathore, director General of Meteorology IMD said that this new service being offered to Mumbaikars is something that affects their life. “Most people can download this system on their phones and use it as pollution and weather both affect every individual,” said Rathore. KS Hosalikar, deputy director-general (western region) India Meteorological Department added that they would extend his full support to this chapter and its working.