Minister Khadka urges for effective atmospheric information

Kathmandu, July 23: Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Deepak Khadka, has urged the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology to disseminate meteorological and hydrological information and forecasts effectively so that such information could save the lives of citizens.     

Following his visit to the Department today, the Minister wanted the Department to focus on the safety of people while delivering its services.     

Climate change has specific implications in mountains, hills, and Terai. The Department is supposed to assess all those impacts accurately and disseminate pertinent data to mitigate atmospheric challenges for the public.     

He also stressed the need for updating the hydrological and meteorological forecasting system in changing times.     

The Minister advised the Department to focus on research works, ensuring that development endeavours remain unhindered.     

Promising to recognize the performance of employees, he said the Ministry is serious about addressing the issues facing the Department.     

Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Sarita Dawadi, acknowledged the absence of formal policies on hydrology and meteorology in Nepal.     

Department Director General Dr Jagadishwor Karmacharya said the public demand for meteorological forecasts of specific places and times could not be addressed at present due to resource constraints.(RSS)