Bengaluru's rain buffs instal their own gauges at home for personal records

Hobbyists with manual, automated gadgets, share rainfall data

In addition to the India Meteorological Department and Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC), there are many citizens who measure rainfall for their personal records.

There are around 150 Bengalureans who measure rainfall using traditional and automated rain gauges. Though these systems are not recognised by government departments, people have installed them to collect data as a hobby, out of interest, for personal analysis and further studies. Some also share data in their neighbourhood with like-minded people.

S Vishwanath, founder of Rain Water Club, told DH that there are around 100 people who study rainfall in their own homes through the traditional rain gauges. Around 50 homes and offices have installed the automatic weather instruments.

The trend of installing personal rain gauges started in the early 1970s by Dr Anna Mani from Raman Research Institute.

It gained momentum in mid-1990s and early 2000. Those who are concerned about climate change are keen to study rainfall pattern and intensity and instal rain gauges.

The instruments are very easy to instal and do not need much space. Under the traditional set-up, a rain gauge which comprises a beaker to collect rain water is placed on the rooftop. This rainwater from the beaker is then poured into a measuring cylinder every morning and readings are noted. This instrument is prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards. It is similar to what is used by the IMD

The automated weather monitoring devices are being offered by Yuktix Technologies Pvt Ltd. It comprises a rain and temperature measuring unit. This is connected to a battery which charges on electricity. The rainfall data recorded using automated instruments is shared on the website which can be accessed by people.

Largest density
Bengaluru has the largest density for weather stations. The IMD collects readings from around five places — City, HAL and International Airports, Gandhi Krishi Vigyan Kendra and Yelahanka.

KSNDMC has 96 rain gauges in the city.

“Though technology has taken over, the traditional method of manually calculating rainfall is more robust and has a personal connect. In some organisations, during monsoons, daily contests are held where employees guess the rainfall. This makes them more environmentally aware. But the manual system cannot assess the intensity of rainfall which is required for installing rainwater harvesting units and to study flood-prone areas,” Vishwanth explained.