State-wide overhaul of automatic weather stations in Sikkim
The Statesman | 21 November 2025
The Sikkim government has initiated a major upgrade of its weather-monitoring network with a comprehensive inspection of 67 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) across the state. The drive, carried out by the department of science & technology in collaboration with the Meteorological Centre, Gangtok (IMD), aims to strengthen the state’s hydro meteorological observation systems amid rising climate vulnerabilities.
The inspection team was led by Dr Lalit Chettri, Assistant Scientific Officer, and included Roshan Kumar Chhettri, Meteorologist Grade-A, and Kinzang Lepcha, Assistant Sub-Inspector. The officials travelled across Sikkim’s diverse terrains—ranging from low valleys to remote, high-altitude zones—to assess the operational status and performance of each AWS unit.
According to officials, the evaluation focused on data accuracy, structural condition, sensor performance, communication connectivity, and overall functionality of the installations. The findings will inform a detailed modernization roadmap for maintenance, upgrade, and real-time data reliability.
“For mountainous states like Sikkim, dependable and timely weather data is not just important—it is critical,” the scientific team observed. They noted that improved AWS efficiency would significantly enhance early warning systems, particularly for extreme weather, landslides, cloudbursts and flash floods, which frequently threaten the region.
The upgraded hydro meteorological network is also expected to support scientific research, agricultural planning, environmental policymaking, and disaster management.
Officials said the initiative underscores the Sikkim Government’s commitment to deploying advanced weather intelligence tools to safeguard communities and strengthen climate adaptation strategies. The inspection outcomes will guide timely interventions to ensure that all AWS units operate at peak performance year-round.
With this large-scale overhaul, Sikkim hopes to further improve its weather-forecasting capabilities and build long-term resilience against the growing impact of climate change.