'Numerical method can improve weather forecast'

In the country, the weather prediction is done using empirical methods based on subjective experience and statistical techniques. As a result, weather prediction is done only for 24 hours and that too is not very accurate.

But the numerical method can predict weather up to a week in advance.

Dr Vijay Kumer Tallapragada, who is working at the US National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP), conducted the training from June 3 to 7.

Twenty-four participants from Bangladesh Meteorological Department, Saarc Meteorological Research Centre and different universities in the country took part in the workshop.

Mian Mushtaque Ahmed, secretary to the Ministry of Science and Information and Communication Technology, inaugurated the workshop as the chief guest. He also distributed certificates at the end of the workshop.

Bangladesh Computer Council has a Supercomputer. A numerical model of the weather developed by Professor TN Krishnomurti of Florida State University was installed at the Supercomputer.

Prof Krishnomurti has donated his model to Bangladesh without charging any fees. He also arranged training for Bangladeshi scientists in the operation of the model.

When the model becomes operational, forecasting of weather will improve considerably. This will make forecast of cyclones and floods in advance and will be very useful to the farmers.