World Meteorological Department a non-existent organisation
SHILLONG: The Upper Shillong Meteorological Department has cautioned the WhatsApp users regarding circulation of fake messages from World Meteorological Department about the thunder quall which hit Shillong on April 5.
In a statement issued here on Thursday, A C Lyngdoh, a Scientist with India Meteorological Department, said that a message was circulated amongst WhatsApp users about the impending doom forecasted by a non-existent organisation World Meteorological Department.
“The message also used terms like jet streams, which has no connection to the calamity at all,” Lyngdoh said.
The message also used cyclones connected with seas and oceans to strengthen the authenticity of the rumour. “This message is unreliable and created unnecessary panic amongst the people,” Lyngdoh said, while appealing people not to believe these messages.
Prior warning
Lyngdoh also said that the thunder quall warning was given prior to the calamity which had destroyed several houses in parts of city on April 5.
“The India Meteorological Department had issued necessary forecast warnings about the squall for April 5 as per standard procedures”, he said.
Earlier, it was reported that the district administration did not issue any official warning through the media, which otherwise should have prepared the people affected to take proper precautions.
As far as weather warning for April 8 is concerned, the India Meteorological Department said that” thunderstorm accompanied with squall/hail likely at isolated places over Assam and Meghalaya , Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram”.
