On October 23, 2020, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has dedicated first of its kind “Flash Flood Guidance services (FFGS)” for South Asian countries namely India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka to issue impact-based forecasting of floods. It was launched by Dr. M. Rajeevan, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, who was the chief guest of a virtual event which was attended by distinguished National and International dignitaries.
- This launch was on the lines of 15th World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Congress, held in Geneva, Switzerland in May 2007, that approved the implementation of a Flash Flood Guidance System (FFGS) project with global coverage that had been developed by the WMO Commission for Hydrology jointly with the WMO Commission for Basic Systems and in collaboration with the United States (US) National Weather Service (NWS), the US Hydrologic Research Center (HRC) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID) / Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA).
Feature of FFGS launched by India:
–Designed by IMD, FFGS has in-depth science, dynamics and diagnostics to provide guidance for the possible occurrences of flash floods at local level.
–It will provide the necessary products in real-time to support the development of warnings for flash floods about 6-12 hours in advance at the watershed level with resolution of 4km x 4km for the flash flood prone South Asian countries.
–Its performance has been tested by IMD during the recent monsoon seasons in the preoperational mode.
What are Flash Floods:
They are events of short duration with a very high peak and usually have less than six hours between the occurrence of the rainfall and peak flood. They are among the world’s deadliest natural disasters with lack of warning capabilities and capacities of the nations across the world.
- They have a disastrous impact on lives and properties of the affected populations.
Other Participants: Dr. Hwirin Kim (Head of Hydrological and Water Resources Services Division, WMO), Dr. Konstantine P. Georgakakos (Director, Hydrologic Research Centre, USA), G.V.V. Sarma IAS (Member Secretary NDMA, India), Dr. Rajendra Kumar Jain (Chairman, Central Water Commission, India) and Director General of Meteorology and Permanent Representative with WMO of the participating countries namely Shri Karma Dupchu, (Bhutan), Shri Saraju Kumar Baidya (Nepal) and Shri Athula Karunanayake (Sri Lanka) and Shri. Bidyut Kumar Saha (Hydrological Advisor to PR of Bangladesh to WMO).
Recent Related News:
i.On September 1, 2020, Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge) for Power and New & Renewable Energy Raj Kumar Singh launched the Pan-India Green Term Ahead Market (GTAM) in New Delhi virtually, for electricity. GTAM is the World’s First Exclusive Product Market for the renewable energy sector.
ii.On September 8th, 2020, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa launched the Country’s First Integrated Air Ambulance Services at Jakkur Aerodrome, Bangalore.It is the first air ambulance operating from South India to provide services for medical emergencies.
About India Meteorological Department (IMD):
Director General– Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra (He is also a Permanent Representative of India with WMO)
Headquarter– New Delhi
