The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) on Friday said it has begun installing automatic weather stations (AWS) at vulnerable locations across its network to strengthen safety and disaster preparedness during the monsoon season.
The initiative aims to ensure accurate and real-time weather forecasting, enabling timely preventive measures during floods, landslides and adverse weather conditions, it said.
Three automatic weather stations have already been successfully installed, while six more are currently at various stages of installation at identified vulnerable locations under the NFR jurisdiction, an NFR statement said.
These locations include the Lumding–Badarpur section in Assam, the Katakhal–Sairang section connecting Mizoram, and the Jiribam–Khongsang route in Manipur.
These areas are prone to heavy rainfall, flooding and landslides during the monsoon season, making continuous weather monitoring essential for safe train operations, the statement said.
The six AWS units are expected to be completed by the end of May, it said.
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The installation is being carried out in close coordination with the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The AWS network will provide precise and location-specific weather data, helping railway authorities take timely and informed decisions during emergencies and adverse weather situations, the statement said.
The initiative is expected to significantly improve preparedness and response mechanisms, particularly in flood-prone and landslide-sensitive sections.
These stations are equipped with advanced sensors capable of monitoring multiple weather parameters with high accuracy.
Rain gauge sensors can record precipitation intensity up to 900 mm per hour, while other sensors can measure temperatures ranging from minus 40 degrees Celsius to plus 75 degrees Celsius.
Wind monitoring sensors can record wind speeds up to 80 metres per second. The stations also include humidity sensors covering a range from 0 to 100 per cent, and devices capable of measuring atmospheric pressure up to 1200 hPa.
"The deployment of these advanced weather monitoring systems reflects NFR’s continued commitment towards enhancing operational safety, adopting modern technology and ensuring uninterrupted rail connectivity in challenging geographical regions during the monsoon season," the statement added.
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