Recent layoffs at NOAA have raised alarms regarding the impact on weather forecasting in India, threatening the accuracy of monsoon and cyclone predictions. Experts stress that reduced observational data could diminish forecasting capability, placing millions at risk. Significant reliance on NOAA’s observational network highlights the importance of these forecasts for disaster preparedness globally.
Recent layoffs at the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have sparked significant concerns among scientists and policymakers about the potential impacts on weather forecasting, particularly in India. Hundreds of weather forecasters and other NOAA employees on probationary status were dismissed, raising fears regarding the quality and availability of meteorological data necessary for accurate monsoon predictions and cyclone tracking in the region.
Experts emphasize that these layoffs could exacerbate existing challenges in forecasting monsoons and tracking cyclones, as the reduction of observational data from NOAA may severely limit predictability. M Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, expressed his concern, stating, “If NOAA reduces observations, there will be implications for weather forecasts. When ocean observations are reduced, there is less data to assimilate. Hence predictability will reduce.”
Roxy Mathew Koll, a climate scientist at the Indian Institute for Tropical Meteorology, warned that these layoffs represent a global crisis that could hinder advancements in climate science. He stated that NOAA’s data is vital not only for the United States but also for countries like India, where it plays a crucial role in predicting monsoons, cyclone tracking, and climate projections.
Koll elaborated that approximately half of the observational network in the Indian Ocean is underpinned by NOAA, which is instrumental for early warnings related to floods, heatwaves, and storms. He cautioned, “This is more than a budget cut. It is a direct threat to climate resilience, research, and preparedness worldwide. The world cannot afford to lose NOAA.”
Despite India deploying additional ocean observation tools, the absence of NOAA’s instruments could critically weaken the overall effectiveness of monitoring initiatives. It is reported that some meteorologists at NOAA have communicated that they are unable to sustain operations as previously conducted, amplifying the uncertainty surrounding future forecasts.
The recent layoffs at NOAA pose a significant threat to global weather forecasting, particularly affecting India’s capacity to accurately predict critical weather events such as monsoons and cyclones. Experts warn that reductions in observational data could hinder climate resilience and preparedness, potentially exposing millions to increased risks from natural disasters. The implications of these workforce cuts extend beyond the United States, underscoring the need for collaboration and support in climate science globally.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
