ABSTRACT
The South Asian region is prone to severe weather events. Every year, hundreds of people die due to floods, lightning, tropical cyclones and heavy rainfall events. Some of the recent examples are the Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir flood during 2013 and 2014, respectively. Whereas coastal states like Odisha and Andhra Pradesh are severely affected by very heavy cyclones, for example, Phailin and Hudhud in 2013 and 2014, respectively, the disaster caused by the recent super cyclonic storm, Amphan, in West Bengal has superseded almost all previous records in the 21st century. Heat waves during summer (April–June) kill many in Pakistan and North/Central India, whereas fog during the winter season (Jan.–Feb.) severely disrupts transport in general and aviation in particular. This chapter discusses technological developments for monitoring/forecasting severe weather events in India. The study emphasizes the role of the Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC), New Delhi, for monitoring and forecasting tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean (NIO) and coordinating with the member states of South Asia, along with the utilization of satellite, radar and numerical weather prediction (NWP) in monitoring tropical cyclones (TCs) and nor’ westers (severe thunderstorms) over eastern India. Analysis of different forecasting techniques that save lives of hundreds of people during tropical disturbances in this region are also dealt with. Also, the mode of dissemination of weather advisories and warnings is discussed in detail, with a special mention of Amphan and coping with contemporary climate change.
