The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

An S-Band Doppler radar system and newly constructed radar-tower building at Khepupara in the coastal district of Patuakhali will be inaugurated today.

The modern radar system has been set up replacing the old and obsolete S-Band Weather Surveillance radar system under a project titled 'Improvement of Meteorological Radar System in Cox's Bazar and Khepupara'.

Defence Secretary Kamrul Hasan will be present at the inaugural ceremony as chief guest while Japanese Ambassador in Bangladesh Masayuki Inoue as special guest.

Director of Meteorology department Arjumand Habib will preside.

A release from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) said two radars located at Cox's Bazar and Khepuapara were installed in 1988 under the assistance of Japanese Grant Aid with two modern S-band meteorological radars.

Later in 1994, these radars were connected with the Storm Warning Centre in Dhaka with microwave link to receive radar imageries direct from Cox's Bazar and Khepuapara for real-time use, and in 1999, weather-warning service related to natural disaster was strengthened.

But as the normal lifetime of the radars already expired, "it became necessary to replace within shortest possible time".

Upon the request of Bangladesh Government, JICA as the official agency of implementing Japanese Government's technical assistance and expediting proper execution of the Japan's Grant Aid completed the construction of both the radars.

One S-band Doppler Radar System was set up in Cox's Bazar last year, replacing the old S-Band Weather Surveillance radar system.

Replaced Cox's Bazar and Khepupara meteorological radars are expected to monitor tropical cyclones generated in the Bay of Bengal and provide more accurate forecasts/warning of tropical cyclones over Bangladesh coast.

The project is also expected to contribute to the reduction of devastations and causalities caused by tropical cyclones and other natural disasters through improvement of radar system of Bangladesh meteorological department.

Meanwhile, under the Japanese assistance four radars have been installed in Dhaka, Rangpur, Cox's Bazar and Khepupara and one in Moulvibazar is under construction.