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A new modern meteorological radar to install in Kiketi
The National Environmental Agency of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture has purchased a new meteorological radar complying with modern standards and installed in eastern Georgia, near Kiketi.
The project has been implemented with the financial support of the Government of Georgia, with the total cost amounting to GEL 4,241,336. It should be mentioned, that the radar is manufactured by one of the world's leading Finnish companies "VAISALA".
Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia and Chairperson of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee Mrs. Maia Bitadze attended the opening ceremony of a new, modern meteorological radar in Kiketi.
"Identification of natural geological and hydrometeorological disasters, creation of effective early warning and monitoring systems is a priority for us, furthermore, the Ministry and the National Environmental Agency are actively working to improve the monitoring network.
Today, the country already has modern meteorological radars in western, as well as eastern Georgia, through which it is possible to determine the rainfall amount, also frequency and intensity of precipitation on the whole territory of Georgia. The meteorological radars ensure timely delivery of forecast and warnings about possible natural disasters to relevant agencies. "- said the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture, Mr. Otar Shamugia.
In 2020, a similar radar was purchased by the National Environmental Agency with the financial support of the United States Government, which was installed near the city of Kutaisi and was put into operation.
Through the aforementioned radar, the weather forecasters of the Agency issued several warnings about the expected unfavourable, hydrometeorological events., thus, the emergency response service responded accordingly to all warnings.
According to Mrs. Maia Bitadze, Chairperson of the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Committee, the installation of modern meteorological radars in the country enables independent weather forecasts, also predictions of meteorological conditions and expected hazards of natural disasters.
Within the framework of the current project of the Green Climate Fund, the expansion of the monitoring network is planned, for which new automatic meteorological, hydrological and geological stations will be installed.
Within the framework of the aforementioned project, geological and hydrometeorological hazard zoning maps will be prepared, which will support maximizing the protection of the population and infrastructure facilities from natural hazards, and will also ensure avoiding/mitigating the possible negative consequences caused by natural disasters in the country.  Â