According to meteorologists, this year could be called the year of natural disasters. In the summer, firemen, insurance representatives and residents estimated damages caused by sudden wind and thunder storms, whereas, in the winter, snowstorms and perishing cold tend to raise additional concerns.
With a view to prepare for warm seasons and prevent related disasters, appropriate measures have already been taken. The lightning (that was scaring the residents not only in the summer but also in the late autumn) detection system will be installed in the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service.
The implementer of the Project – Elsis TS, the company belonging to the group of information and communication technologies (ICT) companies Elsis, – claims that the installed lightning system is intended to detect low-frequency, the so-called “cloud-earth”, lightning and determine the discharge location and intensiveness with an accuracy of less than 500 metres. This possibility will allow obtaining more accurate information about the threatening dangerous natural phenomenon and make adequate preparations more efficiently.
It is believed that accurate information about thunderstorm will help warn people located in risky areas in a timely manner. Furthermore, data about the directions and time of lightning, the length of lightning discharge, the width of the zone, etc. will be helpful for firemen, rescuers, and other emergency services. This tool will ensure timely preparations for potential disasters.
Darius Imbrasas, Director General of Elsis TS: “The lightning detection system will process, analyse and transmit data in real time. Besides, it will be possible to integrate the system into the existing regional lightning detection system networks and those of the neighbouring countries and thus to obtain more accurate information even more efficiently”.
Sensors of the lightning system will be installed in the Biržai Meteorological Station, the Šilutė Hydrometeorological Station, and the central headquarters of the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service. The central processor that processes and analyses obtained data will be installed in the headquarters of the Contracting Authority, whereas user workplaces will be installed in the Aviation Meteorology Centre, the Kaunas Aviation Meteorology Station, the Palanga Aviation Meteorology Station, the Klaipėda Division of the Lithuanian Hydrometeorological Service and the Kaunas Meteorological Station. All the works must be completed by the end of the summer of 2011.
The Project “The Upgrading of the Lithuanian Meteorological Observation Network” is financed from the European Regional Development Fund for 2007-2013 and the state budget of the Republic of Lithuania. The value of the Agreement exceeds LTL 1 million.