Jitendra Singh inaugurates Kishtwar seismic observatory, highlights expansion of weather monitoring

Jitendra Singh inaugurates Kishtwar seismic observatory, highlights expansion of weather monitoring network

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh on Monday inaugurated a Seismological Observatory in earthquake-prone Kishtwar, saying the expansion of scientific and weather monitoring infrastructure would strengthen disaster preparedness across vulnerable areas of Jammu and Kashmir.

Equipped with digital seismic instruments, the observatory will transmit real-time data to the National Centre for Seismology’s round-the-clock Earthquake Monitoring Centre in New Delhi. The facility takes the number of seismological observatories in Jammu and Kashmir to four, alongside those in Jammu, Srinagar and Udhampur.

Singh said the observatory would continuously monitor earthquake activity, improve understanding of seismic hazards and help authorities plan safer infrastructure. Its data would also support district administrations and rescue teams in responding to earthquakes.

The Minister highlighted the expansion of weather monitoring facilities since 2014, particularly in the erstwhile Doda district. Additional installations were introduced following last year’s Chasoti cloudburst tragedy, he said.

Four Doppler Weather Radars have been installed at Banihal, Jot, Jammu and Srinagar since 2014, Singh said. Four more are scheduled to be commissioned in 2027 at Doda, Kishtwar, Anantnag and Baramulla, taking the network to eight.

The Automatic Weather Station network has expanded from three stations at Udhampur, Kathua and Ramban to 12. The nine additional stations include four in Kishtwar, two each in Doda and Ramban, and one in Kathua.

Rain Gauge Stations across the five districts of his parliamentary constituency have increased from nine to 15, improving access to local rainfall information.

Singh said weather forecasts were now disseminated at the Panchayat level across all Panchayats in the five districts. Weather forecasts and agrometeorological advisory services had reached 5,467 beneficiaries, he added.

He also highlighted specialised facilities, including the High-Altitude Cloud Physics Laboratory at Patnitop and a Regional Meteorological Centre in Jammu providing weather forecasts and early warning services.

The expansion, he said, was guided by the region’s geographical vulnerabilities to earthquakes, landslides and severe weather. While administrative boundaries could change, geographical challenges remained, requiring sustained investment in monitoring and warning systems.

Urging people to act on official advisories, Singh said scientific warnings could save lives only when citizens took them seriously. He recalled an instance when traffic restrictions following a weather alert were subsequently justified by damage to the highway.

“Information is important, but following the information is equally important,” he said, appealing for cooperation with authorities during weather alerts.

The Minister also called for scientific, evidence-based communication to counter unverified and alarmist information. He encouraged young people, including those in remote areas, to make constructive use of digital platforms and emerging opportunities.

Referring to improved connectivity and Kishtwar’s development as a power hub, Singh said scientific and infrastructure capabilities were being strengthened alongside efforts to improve public safety.

Earth Sciences Secretary Dr Srinivasa Kumar Tummala, Jammu and Kashmir Assembly Leader of Opposition and Padder-Nagseni MLA Sunil Sharma, Kishtwar MLA Shagun Parihar, Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Sharma and Senior Superintendent of Police Sunny Gupta were among those present at the event.