(Top) Visitors at the exhibition on World Meteorological Day and (above) antenna of radar system at Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar. Pictures by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, March 23: Weather extremes are becoming regular events across the globe, be it scorching summers, 24-hour rainfalls leading to floods or freezing winters. On the occasion of World Meteorological Day, the Meteorological Centre in Bhubaneswar today held an exhibition to create awareness about climate changes. Instruments, maps and posters explaining the role of individuals to counter climate changes, were displayed on the occasion.

Celebrated since 1951 in 189 countries by the World Meteorological Organisation, a specialised agency of the United Nations, the World Meteorological Day is based on unique themes every year. This year the theme was ‘Climate For You’. The open house exhibition displayed interesting pictures that caught the attention of visitors.

Satellite picture of winds and clouds during the destructive 1999 super cyclone in the state, the 2010 flash floods of Pakistan, hurricanes in America and many such photographs were exhibited at the centre.

“Nature’s fury goes beyond our wildest imagination. It was informative to know from the officials here that we could play a role, at least by minimising the release of green house gases,” said Samarendra Bohidar, a college student.

Weather instruments like the small hemispherical cup anemometer, rain gauge and wind pane attracted school students. The process of climate change can be slowed down by the involvement of individuals, said S.C. Sahoo, the director of the Meteorological Centre, Bhubaneswar.

“In every season in the past decade, some or the other place on Earth has seen huge natural calamities and disasters due to sudden change in climate. The extreme weather conditions prove to be a threat for the existence of life on Earth. But then, it’s all the outcome of rapid industrialisation. So, all of us, especially youngsters, must understand that a balance can be maintained to reduce climate variability,” said Sahoo.

He informed that with developing technology, it has been easier for the met department to keep the public informed about the latest weather conditions.

“We got a Doppler radar installed here recently to get latest weather updates. It helps us give thunderstorm warnings in few hours’ time,” he said.