The AWS and piezometer installed at Dimapur as part of a central government national hydrology project. (Photo Morung)

News Morung Express
Dimapur | April 23

Weather forecasting and groundwater management in Dimapur is set to be strengthened with the commissioning by the Nagaland Water Resources Department of an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) and piezometer on April 23.

Funded through the National Hydrology Project, the assets were installed as part of a national initiative to improve “the extent, reliability and accessibility of water resources information and to build capacity targeted management of water resources”. The project also included the construction of a hydrology project convention center at the same location.

AWS, which monitors weather parameters, is crucial for agricultural science, in addition to disaster management.

Piezometers are used for systematic measurements of water levels to provide essential data needed to assess changes in the resource over time, to develop groundwater models and forecast trends, and to design, implement implement and monitor the effectiveness of groundwater management and protection programs.

The objective of the PSN is to effectively facilitate the acquisition of reliable information that would pave the way for effective development and management of water resources.

Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, who commissioned the project today at 4th Mile, said it would go a long way towards managing water resources for agriculture, industrial sectors and even domestic purposes. With climate change threatening existence, conservation should be the mantra through the adoption of sustainable water use. “If we continue to misuse (natural resources), we will definitely face a crisis. Our rivers, our streams, our traditional spring wells are drying up. Using technology to study, to learn will benefit people immensely,” he said. He added: “Our land is blessed with fertile soil and we have plenty of rain. But we follow the indigenous method of cultivation. Applying scientific know-how to existing traditional practices would help achieve sustainable use of natural resources and food sufficiency, he said.

Hotovi Ayemi, Chief Engineer of Water Resources Department who is the Nodal Officer of NHP in Nagaland said that the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) for Nagaland has been approved at an estimated cost of Rs .23cr. Under the project, he informed that the Department has been able to establish “Hydro-Meteorological Observation Networks” with Real Time Data Acquisition System (RTDAS) being one of the main activities. conducted throughout the state. RTDAS consists of a telemetric network of automated rainfall stations, automated weather stations and water level recording stations along major rivers. He added: “Hydrometric observations coupled with real-time telemetry provide the basis for an objective analysis of water resources. It should enable operators to consider many operating criteria and impact decision-making quickly, efficiently and consistently. »

The Department has to date set up 2 other Piezometers in Kohima and Mokokchung. “However, in view of the drastic climatic changes on a global scale, resulting in the depletion of surface water, there is an urgent need to explore groundwater, for which the department plans to propose additional piezometers in the remaining districts to be accommodated. under this program,” he said. mentioned.

He further said that the establishment of the State Data Center earlier in February will serve as a hub of valuable data and for which he added that the active participation of all operational departments would be crucial.

Setting up an asset is one, sustaining it is another; and for this, he said that the operation and maintenance of the assets will require trained personnel. “As such, the department is offering job conversion through executive review,” he said.