IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) recently installed six Automated Rain Gauge (ARG) in different municipalities of the province with one Automated Weather Station (AWS) yet to be installed within the premises of the Provincial Capitol.
Provincial Science & Technology Coordinator Francis Melanie T. Temonio said the ARGs were installed in the towns of Titay, Tungawan, Kabasalan, Siay, Imelda and Diplahan.
The AWS, on the other hand, will be installed in the vicinity of the Provincial Capitol after PAGASA has assessed the area for possible obstacles in data gathering and upon completion of its perimeter fence, said Temonio.
“This is in line with the agency’s priorities and thrusts in harnessing the country’s scientific and technological capabilities for sustained economic growth and development in the province,” he added.
The AWS are monitoring stations equipped with different sensors capable of measuring the following weather parameters: temperature, pressure, humidity, wind direction, wind speed, rain amount, duration and intensity.
Temonio explained that the AWS has only a minimal coverage of 50 km radius, so the ARGs installed in the municipalities would be ideal for data comparison to identify the amount of rainfall in an area.
Further, she said the devices are vital for scientific data gathering for flood early warning so that people will be warned and shall have enough time to prepare before the actual occurrence of floods.
All weather data from the remote stations are collected on a central database server and further analyzed. The processed data are readily available and easily accessible to local authorities, especially the disaster response unit over the Internet, on a real-time basis. (PIA9)
