Mukesh Sharma
Kalimpong,11th Nov

Praful Rao Wg Cdr (retd)President of Save The Hills organization a group of concerned citizens who are raising awareness about landslides in Darjeeling-Sikkim Himalaya region have raise the question of not having early warning equipment in the entire Himalaya Belt.

Organization President Praful Rao Wg Cdr (retd) today talking with this correspondent said that there are no DOPPLER radars in the entire Himalayan belt . These radars can help in better prediction of weather. The data and research being done in the eastern Himalayas is minimal compared to the western region. That is why when Natural Fury comes in Himalayan belt the damaged is more compared to that of Plain he added .

Giving further detail total no of deaths due to cyclones (Mahasen, Phaillin, Lehar, Helen and Madi)  in AP, Odisha in 2013 resulted in 320 while Total no of deaths due to Cyclone Hudhud in Oct 2014 reached 103 (Plus 43 people who died in Nepal). The death toll in Uttarakhand in Jun2013 = over 6000. In Sep2014 in Kashmir approx 500, in Aug2014 Bhotey Sunkoshi =200, in Sep2014 in Assam Meghalaya = 100+.

These are far more in number as compared to Natural  Fury in Plains he added.

A Center of  IMD( Indian Meteorological Department) is must in Darjeeling he demanded.

Meanwhile Giving information on the Seminar schedule at 14 Nov at Town Hall on Urban Planning and Disaster Risk Reduction he said that Speaker from Colorado University and Sikkim University VC will be present on the day.