Two new automatic weather stations planned in Vellarikundu

Two new automatic weather stations are set to be established in Vellarikundu taluk under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana, led by the Agriculture department. The stations will come up at Kodom in Belur panchayat and Karinthalam in Kinanoor-Karinthalam panchayat, with site selection already completed.

Additionally, automatic rain gauges are planned for other panchayats under the Parappa block panchayat limits, with installation sites finalised.

Meanwhile, concerns persist over the non-functioning of two existing automatic weather stations managed by the India Meteorological department (IMD) at Koovappara in West Eleri and Vattakkayam in Panathadi. Both stations have remained defunct for several months.

Vellarikundu Tehsildar P.V. Murali said that District Collector K. Inbasekar has assured that both stations will be made operational by June 15. However, the equipment at the Vattakkayam unit, housed inside a panchayat waste storage centre, is reportedly in a dilapidated condition.