On Monday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Regional Meteorological Centre in Lucknow. The new centre will help improve weather forecasting in UP, support agriculture, and reduce losses caused by natural disasters.
Huge Potential for Foodgrain Production
Speaking at the event, CM Yogi said UP is the most populous state in India. Despite having only 11 % of the country’s cultivable land, the state produces 21% of India’s food grains. He said Uttar Pradesh has the potential to increase this share to 35–36% with the help of technology. He called the new weather centre an important step towards achieving this goal.
Results of PM Modi’s Efforts Visible Today
The Chief Minister said the work carried out under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership over the past 12 years has strengthened India’s weather forecasting system. He noted that weather predictions have become much more accurate than before. He thanked Prime Minister Modi and Dr Jitendra Singh for their contributions to the sector.
Early Warning System Saving Lives
CM Yogi highlighted the benefits of the weather department’s early warning system. He cited a recent incident in Saharanpur where timely weather alerts helped protect devotees from danger. He also said deaths caused by lightning strikes have dropped significantly in districts such as Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Chandauli. Earlier, these districts recorded around 100 to 150 deaths every year, but the number has now fallen to around a dozen.
UP Seeks Its Own Satellite
CM Yogi said the state government wants its own satellite to improve weather monitoring and forecasting. He added that the government has already requested support from ISRO. He also informed that UP has installed 450 Automatic Weather Stations and 2,000 rain gauges. The state is also setting up X-band Doppler Weather Radars in Azamgarh, Varanasi, Aligarh, Jhansi, and Lucknow.
Concern Over Climate Change
CM Yogi expressed concern about climate change and its impact on weather patterns. He said seasonal cycles have shifted by nearly a month, which could create challenges for food production in the future. He stressed the need to maintain a balance with nature and adopt sustainable practices.
₹5 Lakh Assistance for Lightning Victims
The CM said the state government provides financial assistance of ₹5 lakh to the families of people who die due to lightning strikes. He assured full support to the India Meteorological Department for strengthening weather services in the state.
Senior Officials Attend the Event
Several senior officials attended the programme, including India Meteorological Department Director General Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Regional Centre New Delhi Head Dr Dushmanta Ranjan Patnaik, and Lucknow Centre Head Dr Manish Ramesh Ranalkar.
