Mayor launches mobile app on weather and related information

Mayor Sovan Chatterjee on Friday launched a mobile app, Moushumi Tathya, or Monsoon Data, giving details of weather and related information like waterlogging, tide in river Hooghly etc.

With this, the Kolkata Munici pal Corporation (KMC) becomes the country's first civic authority to launch such a citizen-friendly app. The information will also be displayed on electronic boards put up at seven important intersections of the city. The places where they will be put up are Park Circus crossing near Islamia hospital, Kankurgachi, Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Metro station, Park Street near Allen Park, Mullickbazar, E Mall and National library.

Calling the occasion "historic", Sovan Chatterjee said the app will help the citizens immensely. They will be able to know about the weather along with the roads that are been waterlogged by using the app, he maintained. "There was a time when most of the weather forecast by the Alipore Meteorological office went wrong. Like when they predicted rain it was bright sunshine. But now, with advanced technology, things have improved and it is always good if those who are on the streets, get information about the city's weather in advance so that they can make their plans accordingly. The app will benefit not only the civic officials but also the common people," he pointed out.

Like when they predicted rain it was bright sunshine. But now, with advanced technology, things have improved and it is always good if those who are on the streets, get information about the city's weather in advance so that they can make their plans accordingly. The app will benefit not only the civic officials but also the common people," he pointed out.

Chatterjee said there was a time when boats had to be deployed in some pockets of North Kolkata during monsoon. But the situation has changed and KMC has upgraded all the pumps that are used to clear accumulated water under the Kolkata Environment Impact Project (KEIP). "There are some pockets that have been hit by waterlooging and steps have been taken to make those areas waterlogging free," Chatterjee maintained.

The underground sewer lines have been cleaned and strengthened and this has helped to clear the accumulated water from city's streets situated in Central, North and South Kolkata. The areas that had once been prone to waterlogging like the areas surrounding Rabindra Sadan, Assembly House and its

neighbourhood and Southern Avenue are free from the menace now.