PURNEA, Dec. 25 -- One of the oldest observatories of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in the country, located in Purnea, is all set to get an upgraded new look next year, officials said.

Once upgraded, it will become the second observatory in Bihar after Patna to be equipped with a Doppler Weather Radar (DWR), capable of issuing highly precise weather warnings up to three hours in advance within a 150-km radius. The upgraded facility is expected to be particularly beneficial for the newly established Purnea Airport.

"Once the DWR is installed, we will be able to provide precise weather information such as rainfall intensity and location, storm movement and rotation," said Virendra Kumar Jha, meteorologist and in-charge of the ...