New info on turbulence parameters over Himalayas to prevent air traffic disasters in the region

NEW DELHI: In what may be vital information for preventing air traffic disasters over the Himalayas and helping in weather prediction more precisely, scientists have for the first time estimated ‘turbulence parameters’ in the lower troposphere over the central Himalayan region.
Though the turbulence parameters for southern India were known earlier, the same were not known over the Himalayan region. As a result, some approximate values were used by modelers for calculating turbulence parameters. Now, modelers will be able to update these values in their existing models.
Using observation from the indigenously developed Stratosphere-Troposphere Radar (ST Radar), researchers at Nainital-based Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES) of Union science & technology ministry have compiled both values of the “atmospheric turbulence parameters” and “time and space distribution of turbulence structure” in the troposphere. The precise knowledge on turbulence over this region will now help in safe air traffic movements.
“Development of such (ST Radar) radar at 206.5 MHz, within the country, will further strengthen our efforts to better understand the regional changes in weather and climate, particularly in the Himalayan region, which is having complex topography,” said Ashutosh Sharma, secretary, department of science & technology (DST).
In the study, published in Radio Science journal, researchers led by Aditya Jaiswal at ARIES have found large values of “refractive index structure constant” at the lower altitudes due to mountain wave activities and presence of low-level clouds.
“Low levels of cloud are generated in a mountainous region with complex topography. Because of this, stable air in this region is set into oscillations known as mountain waves and lee waves. Characterization of turbulence in the mountainous region is vital to understand the dynamics of mountain induced wave disturbances and other related phenomena, which has a crucial role in modulating the general circulation wind patterns," said the DST in a statement, referring to the new findings.