India Meteorological Department, IMD has said that the maximum temperature of 52.9°C reported at Mungeshpur in New Delhi by Automatic Weather System, AWS on 29th of May is not correct. IMD in a statement said that it happened due to malfunctioning of the sensor in the system. The temperature sensor of AWS Mungeshpur is found to report about 3°C higher maximum temperature than the maximum temperature reported by the standard instrument.
It added that necessary remedial measures are being taken up to avoid the repetition of such errors in AWS. IMD added that in view of such abnormal temperature recorded at Mungeshpur, a thorough examination and review of the maximum temperature recorded at Mungeshpur was made by an expert committee. The expert team of IMD checked the authenticity of the temperature reported at Mungeshpur by comparing it with standard instrument at the site. It is found that there is a positive bias in reported temperature. The bias varies during the day being maximum around the time of occurrence of maximum temperature.
In a tweet, Union Minister for Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju said that Mungeshpur’s AWS reported a temperature of 52.9°C which was quickly investigated by the committee which found a 3°C sensor error.The maximum temperature recorded by AWS Mungeshpur was 3°C higher than standard instruments. He said, corrective measures are now in place. The Committee also recommended that the Surface Instrument Division, Pune may examine and calibrate the AWS temperature sensors at periodic intervals for all the AWS. In case of standard bias is observed, the same can be applied for correct representation of temperature. It also recommended routine maintenance of the AWS installed across the country should be done in a planned manner.
