The Times of India  31.08.2010

PUNE: The Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is scouting for land for the installation of a rain gauge in the municipal limits. Once the installation is completed, citizens in Pimpri-Chinchwad would be able to know the rainfall in the twin township.

Speaking to TOI, Mustafa Phadnis, assistant commissioner, PCMC said, "The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Pune, has given permission to install the rain gauge in the municipal limits to measure the rainfall."

Phadnis said, "PCMC wanted to install the rain gauge on top of its main office building in Pimpri. But, as per IMD norms the rain gauge cannot be installed on the terrace of any building. The norms stipulate that the 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 trees or building on the plot to ensure that the maximum amount of rain is collected to give accurate readings."

"There will be no difficulty in getting such land. It can be installed at any one of our municipal properties scattered across the municipal limits. The IMD officials will be shown the plots and it will be finalised after their permission. We hope to finalise the plot in a week," replied Phadnis when enquired about the location for the rain gauge.

Speaking to TOI, Kiran Gawde, chief fire officer, said, "The civic body will also have to consider the security of the plot. The IMD will later give training to the civic employees about taking the readings. The PCMC has already bought the rain gauge".

Pimpri-Chinchwad township, with a population of more than 15 lakh, is known as an industrial township. There is no rain gauge installed in the township. It relies on the rainfall figures given from the rain gauge installed near the Pavana dam. But, the rainfall figures from the dam do not give a clear picture.

The flood control cell of the PCMC will be able to utilise the data during monsoons to predict floods.