Disaster Warning: Radar station inactive for 4yrs
Due to technical problems, operations of Patuakhali's Kalapara radar station have remained suspended for four whole years.
The station has been non-operational since April 26, 2018, due to problems in components of the imaging unit. It is unable to forecast cyclones properly.
According to the radar station authority, the station was built on 10.16 acres of land in 1969 in Kalapara town. In 2008, the technical effectiveness of conventional radar decreased.
After dismantling the centre's old infrastructure and discarding the conventional technology, Japan Radio Company installed the world's most advanced Doppler-technology radar. This was funded by Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica).
Asaduzzaman Khan, assistant director of Kalapara office's Cyclone Preparedness Programme, said it is crucial for the people of the coastal areas to get regular weather reports.
The advanced technology can issue early warning messages and help reduce the loss of life and damage caused by disasters. If the radar station is not operational, people's lives and properties remain at great risk.
"This advanced technology can issue early warning messages, help save lives and prevent damages caused by disasters. If the radar station is not operational, people's lives and properties remain at great risk," he said.
The transmitter installed for power transmission at the station was broken for over two years, halting power supply. Due to the weather conditions, the station had to use generators. Electricity poles and new transmitters were installed two months ago. However, the connection has not been set up yet.
Kalapara Rural Electricity Deputy General Manager Sajib Pal said, "The work of installing a new transmitter has been completed. We will provide an electricity connection shortly."
Abdul Jabbar Sharif, an electronics engineer of the station, said several parts of the frequency image unit have been malfunctioning.
"It [station] cannot determine the speed, strength, intensity and position of the cyclone. Due to the suspension of operational activities, the process of collecting data and information of cyclones have to be run through the stations in Cox's Bazar, Moulvibazar, Dhaka's Agargaon and the one along the Bay of Bengal," he said.
Contacted, Mohibbur Rahman, lawmaker of Patuakhali-4 (Kalapara-Rangabali) and member of the parliamentary standing committee on defence ministry, said, "This is a very important public issue. I have written to the defence ministry regarding this. I have also discussed this in the parliamentary committee meeting."
"A team of experts has already visited the station. Hopefully, the parts will be installed shortly and the operational activities will start soon as well," he added.
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