Question : ASSESSMENT OF RAINFALL

(a) whether hydrometeorologists in the country are facing problems in accurately assessing the depth of rainfall over an area;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c) the details and the conditions of rain gauges installed throughout the country;

(d) whether several schemes are prepared on the basis of inaccurate assessment of rainfall and hence have adversely impacted the successful implementation of such schemes and in the redressal of the problems; and

(e) if so, the action being taken to address the issue?

MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (SHRI S. JAIPAL REDDY)

(a) No Madam. Earth System Science Organization - India Meteorological Department (ESSO-IMD) receives data from about 3748 number of rain gauges operated all over the country in collaboration with other stakeholders (state governments, Central Water Commission-CWC etc.). Based on these data sets, the daily assessment of monsoon season rainfall for the country is carried out and rainfall statistics at district-wise/state-wise/meteorological-subdivision-wise /region-wise and for the Country as a whole are prepared.

(b) Does not arise.

(c) State-wise details of Daily Rainfall Monitoring System (DRMS) network data reception statistics for the monsoon seasons of 2011 and 2012 are presented in Annexure. Although, 90% of the DRMS network was functional during 2012, unforeseen maintenance problems in North-eastern states, Maharashtra and Goa, West Bengal and Sikkim have contributed to the non-functionality of rain gauges.

(d) No Madam.

(e) Does not arise.