DHAKA: The Japan government will provide $23 million to build next generation meteorological radar systems to improve the weather forecasting system in Bangladesh.

An agreement was signed between the governments of Bangladesh and Japan on “the Project for Improvement of Meteorological Radar System in Dhaka and Rangpur” on Wednesday, said a press release.

Economic Relation Division senior secretary Mohammad Mejbahuddin and Takeshi Matsunaga, Chargé d' Affaires of Japan embassy in Bangladesh, signed the agreement on behalf their respective sides.

Mikio Hataeda, chief representative of JICA Bangladesh office, and Mohammad Mejbahuddin also signed another agreement on the details of implementation on the project.

Since 1988, Japan has been contributing in improving weather forecast service in Bangladesh through establishment of meteorological radars, improvement of weather analysis and forecasting system and capacity buildings.

All 5 meteorological radars in Bangladesh were established through the Japanese Grant Assistance, and those in Rangpur and Dhaka were completed in 1999 and 2000 respectively.

For faster and more accurate weather forecasting, Japan has already extended assistance for upgrading radar systems in Cox’s Bazar, Khepupara and Moulvibazar equipping them with S-band Doppler radars.

With a view to also upgrading radar systems in Dhaka and Rangpur, Japan has undertaken detailed design of these radar systems.

New radar systems will be constructed in Rangpur and Joydebpur (in Gazipur). The new radar site in Joydebpur will replace the existing site in Dhaka.

Like those in Cox’s Bazar, Khepupara and Moulvibazar, the new radar systems in Rangpur and Joydebpur will be equipped with S-band Doppler radars.

Doppler radars can collect 3 dimensional meteorological data on atmospheric moisture, intensity of rain and wind velocity distribution much faster as well as in a more accurate manner than the previous radars.

It is expected that, with these advanced technologies, more accurate and earlier hazardous warnings will be made available to the public.

The safety control of aviation is also expected to improve.

BDST: 2150 HRS, JUN 23, 2015
HB/RR