Audio: Met Dept. flooded with more than 1000 calls

3 May 2013 04:00 pm - 19 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Despite allegations by some people the meteorology department receives more than a 1,000 calls during heavy rains asking for weather forecasts, the Meteorology Department said adding that this showed how popular the Department was.

“We receive more than 200 calls a day and more than 1,000 calls during heavy rains requesting for weather forecasts,” Met Department Deputy Director S.R. Jayasekara said.

Some people had been misled to believe that the Met Department’s weather forecast was not to be relied on.

“Foreigners also call us to find out what the weather is like in Sri Lanka before they plan to visit the country. Tourist guides, hoteliers and people who are planning special functions are also check with us about the weather conditions,” he said

Mr. Jayasekera said usually the forecasts on websites were based on a mathematical module, which can’t be depended on. He said the Met Department obtained its information from trusted websites in India, Japan, the US and Korea.

“Though we obtain information from these websites we release the weather forecast only after various feasibility studies,” he said.

Mr. Jayasekera said the Department releases three reports a day and provided special forecasts for those who engage in maritime and aerial duties.
The atmosphere above the ocean that surrounds our country keeps changing all the time and therefore the tropical climatic condition can often be unstable.

The Department had recently installed an automatic answering system because of the numerous calls it receives asking for weather forecasts. People can obtain information on Tel. No: 011 2694846. (Sanath Desmond)

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Comments - 19

dna Saturday, 04 May 2013 01:05 AM

Alternatively to answering machines, there is another medium to publish weather reports - its called the 'Internet' and used by tons of other countries !

Amir Saturday, 04 May 2013 06:51 AM

These calls are also know as byte calls. Sri Lankas are trying to have some fun and Foreigners still dont know about our meteorology department. Very soon they will.

Calistus Jayatilleke Saturday, 04 May 2013 05:22 AM

If foreigners call and ask for weather forecasts from our MET Department, then definitely that must be for the purpose of collecting "bloopers" for a new comedy show over the TV.

Nims Saturday, 04 May 2013 03:45 AM

Very popular for giving wrong forecasts

kingzabez Saturday, 04 May 2013 02:35 AM

Time to move to next generation. start a website with data...

El bobo Saturday, 04 May 2013 02:30 AM

Fine, you are popular! The print media then do not publish weather forecasts on a systematic basis.

Ruvin Saturday, 04 May 2013 02:23 AM

People are calling the dept just to know the actual situation, because what is happening in reality is completely opposite on daily basis from what whether dept predicts or informs people. When Met dept says it is going to rain today, people know it is not going to be, so in that sense at least they are helping unlike CEB or CPC.

Premalal Saturday, 04 May 2013 02:08 AM

Frankly I am one of those who never trusted you. However if what you say is right it is really good news. Congratulations. Also thank you for the Auto hotline. Great work. Keep it up

MayIwin Silva Saturday, 04 May 2013 01:36 AM

Most of people call the met department for fun.

dud Saturday, 04 May 2013 01:10 AM

Look up, See forecast .

amude Saturday, 04 May 2013 12:00 AM

No wonder tourist arrivals so low. Once it starts raining Met Dept forecast showers. 99% of forecasts (without rain) are the opposite. Of the thousand calls how many are prank calls ???

Suq Madique Saturday, 04 May 2013 12:59 AM

People usually expect the opposite of the Met dept weather predictions...and most times they're right. Better to check BBC or some other foreign news channel if you want proper weather forecasts.

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 04 May 2013 12:48 AM

hi , hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii. Once we we get out from our houses, we too can forecast better than Meteorological Dept.

Jagath Leanage Saturday, 04 May 2013 12:46 AM

They don't know that they are kidding. In sinhala we called "bite karanawa".

Ans UK Friday, 03 May 2013 10:57 PM

well foreigners call thinking the met department is similiar to their country giving accurate forecast's. But in srilanka the department is different-'A LAND LIKE NO OTHER' indeed!

Mr. B. Wijeyasingha Friday, 03 May 2013 09:03 PM

Once Sri Lanka launches a meteorological satellite such weather patters would be part of the weather news on TV

Duminda Silva Friday, 03 May 2013 07:58 PM

Mata Mathaka Naa - Duminda

DHA Friday, 03 May 2013 07:23 PM

Ah....what a joke they said it will rain last Monday and it rained only today (Friday) so accurate is the data....

zain Saturday, 04 May 2013 12:00 AM

what a joke i cant control my laugh... obvious every knows what to decide after the forecast they give other way around. via DM Android App

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Audio: Met Dept. flooded with more than 1000 calls

Comments - 19

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