Bhopal: The Doppler radar set up in Bhopal by Meteorological department to improve weather forecast in Central India has been rendered ineffective by high-rise structures cropping around it. The Rs 10cr radar that can give accurate forecast has not been able to function to its capacity ever since it has been installed.Apart from the structures surrounding the radar, Bhopal circle of IMD at Arera hills is also facing nagging issues relating to net connectivity and power.".missing data problem over Indore division.....forecast given based on NWP products, satellite products & synoptic products that light to moderate rain will occur at many places over Indore division.....there should be equal rain bearing cloud over parts of Indore division......but due obstruction/hindrance we r unable to track that....Now who will help us," writes Anupam Kashyapi, director of IMD Bhopal circle in a post in WhatsApp group Mausam MP (A) with large number of journalists as its members across the state.Talking to TOI, Kashyapi said, "despite objections a building of panchayat and rural development department has come up across the road blocking the Doppler radar. The radar has not been able to scan the atmosphere of Indore division. Now, predictions for aviation are also becoming difficult."In fact, when the radar was being set up, Kashyapi said, 500 meters area around it was declared as restricted zone for high-rise buildings. After the panchayat building, one more building, part of the expansion plan of the state secretariat- is creating a hurdle.He said the IMD wanted to install radars in Indore and Gwalior also but looking at the experience here, the expansion plan may not take off.When contacted minister for panchayat and rural development Gopal Bhargawa said, "Town and country planning should be able to answer why this building has come up. Though, the building belongs to my department, I did not decide about its construction."On Sunday night, senior meteorologist Shailandra Kumar Naik wrote a post on the same group, "we need uninterrupted power and internet for forecasting weather. We are also facing missing data problem because of radar also."He said power supply and uninterrupted internet services are major "hurdles" despite having dedicated lines for both.On being asked, state's power minister Paras Jain told TOI, "Let me reach Bhopal tomorrow, I will definitely look into the issue. It is a very serious matter."

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