The Times of India  30.09.2010

PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) will install a rain gauge at Kasarwadi for accurate information regarding rainfall within the municipal limits.

PCMC assistant commissioner Mustafa Phadnis said, "A plot measuring 2,000 sq ft has been identified on the premises of the sewage treatment plant at Kasarwadi for the purpose. The work is expected to be completed by next week."

The PCMC wanted to install the rain gauge on top of its main office building in Pimpri, but as per the India Meteorological Department norms, a rain gauge cannot be installed on the terrace of any building. "The norms stipulate that a rain gauge has to be installed in an open plot with an area of 1,000 to 1,500 sq ft. There should be no vegetation on this plot to ensure that maximum rain is collected to ensure accurate readings," said Phadnis.

At present, there is no rain gauge in Pimpri Chinchwad and it has to rely on rainfall figures given from the rain gauge installed near the Pavana dam.

Explaining the usage of the rain gauge data, Phadnis said, "The PCMC has to rely on the rainfall figures of Pune and Pavana dam. The rain gauge at Kasarwadi will give the exact rainfall figures for the Pimpri-Chinchwad township and will help us take effective measures to face a flood situation."