Jitendra Singh inaugurates India's 183rd seismological observatory in Kishtwar
The new facility in Jammu and Kashmir aims to enhance earthquake monitoring and disaster preparedness in the Himalayan region.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh inaugurated India's 183rd seismological observatory in Kishtwar on Monday. The facility, established through the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is intended to augment the national seismological network and increase disaster preparedness in the region, according to Daily Excelsior.
The observatory is the fourth such facility in Jammu and Kashmir, joining existing stations in Jammu, Srinagar, and Udhampur. Officials stated that Kishtwar sits in the middle of a fault line, and the new facility will provide accurate seismological data for all types of measures.
The observatory is equipped with digital seismic equipment that will transmit real-time data to the 24x7 Earthquake Monitoring Centre of the National Centre for Seismology in New Delhi. Dr Singh said the observatory would continuously monitor earthquake activity and help in planning safer infrastructure.
Dr Singh also highlighted the expansion of weather monitoring infrastructure in the region. He noted that the India Meteorology Department (IMD) has increased Doppler Weather Radars from zero in 2014 to four currently installed at Banihal, Jot, Jammu, and Srinagar, with four more planned for 2027.
The Minister added that Automatic Weather Stations have increased from three to 12, including four in Kishtwar and two each in Doda and Ramban. The inauguration was attended by Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and Kishtwar MLA Shagun Parihar.