(a) whether the Government had information about the formation of Cyclone Nargis;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether information about the intensity and path of the said cyclone had been shared with
neighbouring countries;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF EARTH SCIENCES(SHRI KAPIL SIBAL)
(a) Yes Sir.
(b) India Meteorological Department (IMD) maintains round the clock monitoring of the weather
conditions over the India and its neighbourhood. Over the North Indian Ocean, in particular since
1973, IMD operates a Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) for the World Meteorological
Organisation (WMO) to serve the Economic and Social Cooperation for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
panel on Tropical Cyclone. Panel member countries (India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman,
Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand) are provided appropriate cyclone related forecast advisories
starting from the time of formation until landfall.
(c) Yes Sir.
(d) Cyclone advisory bulletins with due updates on intensity and path of the said cyclone were
provided to all WMO/ESCAP Panel countries including Myanmar at regular intervals till the time of
weakening of the NARGIS over the Myanmar after its landfall i.e. during the period 27th April,
2008–3rd May,2008.
(e) Does not arise.