Itanagar, Aug 26 (UNI) In a significant step towards improving flight safety in Arunachal Pradesh,
a Heliport Automatic Weather Observation System (HAWOS) has been tested and commissioned
at the Roing Helipad in Lower Dibang Valley district.
The initiative has been carried out under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CESHS), Itanagar, with technical support from the Regional Meteorological Centre, IMD, Guwahati.
Arunachal Pradesh’s challenging topography and unpredictable weather have long posed serious concerns for air safety, with several tragic incidents in the past claiming the lives of prominent personalities and army officers.
The installation of HAWOS marks a crucial step forward in ensuring safer skies for both civilian
and defence helicopter operations in the state.
“Real-time weather data is a game changer for pilots operating in Arunachal’s unpredictable conditions. HAWOS will provide timely and precise meteorological information that can directly
aid in safer decision-making,” said an IMD official.
HAWOS systems work by collecting continuous weather information at heliports and disseminating it in both data and voice format to pilots. This ensures that they receive accurate updates en route, particularly during critical landing phases.
As part of the project, HAWOS installations have been completed at eight heliports in Arunachal Pradesh—Naharlagun, Namsai, Daporijo, Bhalukpong, Roing, Anini, Koloriang, and Miao.
Er Tage Tana, Director of CESHS, Itanagar, remarked, “This collaboration between IMD and CESHS is a step forward in building a robust aviation safety network for Arunachal Pradesh. The system will not only assist pilots but also reassure passengers by ensuring safer skies.”
Officials emphasized that with this system in place, pilots can make more informed decisions, thereby reducing risks associated with sudden weather changes—a long-standing challenge in
the hilly state.
UNI TD BM