PM’s gifts to the Queen of Britain

November 14, 2015, 1:28 am

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PM’s gifts to the Queen of Britain

The Prime Minister today presented Her Majesty The Queen some photographs taken 54 years ago from her first visit to India in January-February 1961 when she was the Chief Guest at the Republic Day parade in New Delhi. During the visit, Her Majesty had also visited some other cities including Varanasi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Udaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai.

Taken on January 31, 1961, the first photograph shows her visiting the Sabarmati Ashram in Ahmedabad, one day after the commemoration of the 13^thdeath anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. The second photograph was taken on February 19, 1961 in Chennai, and shows Her Majesty at a reception in her honour by the then State of Madras where she was presented a cake to mark the first birthday of HRH Prince Andrew, the Duke of York.  The third photograph was taken on February 25, 1961 and shows Her Majesty riding an elephant in a procession to Balua Ghat in Varanasi, the Prime Minister’s parliamentary constituency. Another photo, taken on February 24, 1961, shows her visiting the Atomic Energy Centre at Trombay.

In addition, the Prime Minister also presented to Her Majesty some award-winning Darjeeling tea from Makaibari tea estate in West Bengal, fine organic honey from Jammu and Kashmir, and Tanchoi stoles that are a specialty of Varanasi.

January 31, 1961; Ahmedabad. Her Majesty visiting Sabarmati Ashram

February 19, 1961; Chennai. Her Majesty cutting a cake to celebrate the first birthday of Prince Andrew

February 25, 1961; Varanasi. Her Majesty riding an elephant in a procession from Nandesar Palace to Balua Ghat

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Portable Fire Extinguishers

November 14, 2015, 7:34 am

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Portable Fire Extinguishers Self-Inspection Checklist

Guidelines: This checklist covers regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under 29 CFR 1910.157. It applies to the placement, use, maintenance, and testing of portable fire extinguishers. The regulations cited apply only to private employers and their employees, unless adopted by a State agency and applied to other groups such as public employees. Definitions of terms in bold type are provided at the end of the checklist.

This checklist does not address detailed regulations covering the methods used for hydrostatic testing of fire extinguishers. Please consult 29 CFR 1910.157 for additional information.

	Please Circle
General Requirements
Are all portable fire extinguishers approved? [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Are portable fire extinguishers using carbon tetrachloride or chlorobromomethane prohibited? [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
Have all the following portable fire extinguishers been removed from service? [29 CFR 1910.157(c)(5)]  Soldered or riveted shell self-generating soda acid.  Self-generating foam   Gas cartridge water   Note: These types of fire extinguishers are operated byinverting the extinguisher to rupture the cartridge or toinitiate an uncontrollable pressure-generating chemicalreaction to expel the agent.	Y   N   N/A
Are portable fire extinguishers mounted, located, and identified so that they are readily accessible?[29 CFR 1910.157(c)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
Are portable fire extinguishers fully charged, operable, and kept in their designated places at all times?[29 CFR 1910.157(c)(4)]	Y   N   N/A
If fire extinguishers are enclosed in cabinets, is access to thecabinet unobstructed and is the cabinet clearly visible? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
If fire extinguishers are enclosed in cabinets with opaque doors, are doors unlocked, and are the cabinetcontents indicated on the outside? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
When fire extinguishers are enclosed in locked cabinets and doors are equipped with approved visual identification clearglass panels, are glass panes easily broken? Is the doorcapable of being opened when the glass panel is broken? Isthe unlocking handle painted red? Is the direction the handlemust be pushed or pulled to open the door indicated? Is thedoor labeled Fire equipment: in case of fire, breakglass and operate red handle? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
When fire extinguishers are enclosed in locked cabinets and doors are completely glass, are doors labeled In case of fire,break glass? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
Are extinguishers installed on the hangers or on the suppliedbrackets, mounted in cabinets, or set on shelves unless theextinguishers are of the wheeled type? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
Are extinguishers installed where they are subject to physical damage protected from impact? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
Training and Education
When employees are expected to use fire extinguishers, have they been trained in the general principles of fire extinguisheruse and the hazards involved with incipient stage firefighting? [29 CFR 1910.157(g)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
Is this training given at the time of initial assignment and annually thereafter? [29 CFR 1910.157(g)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Selection and Distribution
Is at least one fire extinguisher available in each laboratory, shop, or other career-technical room, and one fire extinguisheravailable for each 2,500 square feet of floor area?[recommended]	Y   N   N/A
According to the table that follows, are portable fire extinguishers selected and distributed based on the classes(see class definitions at end of checklist) of anticipated firesand on the size and degree of hazard that would affecttheir use? [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(1)]   First Hazard Class Maximum Permitted Distance to Portable Fire Extinguisher A B C D 75 feet1 50 feet2 50-75 feet3 75 feet4 1 Uniformly spaced standpipe systems or hose stationsconnected to a sprinkler system installed for emergency use may be used instead of Class Aportable fire extinguishers. 2 Depending on size of extinguisher and size of firehazard, a maximum 30 feet travel distance may berequired. 3 Use existing Class A or Class B hazards to determine the required pattern. 4 Required where combustible metal powders, flakes,shavings or similarly sized products are generatedat least once very two weeks.	Y   N   N/A
Inspection, Maintenance, and Testing
Are portable fire extinguishers inspected monthly? [29 CFR 1910.157(e)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Are portable fire extinguishers subjected to an annual maintenance check? [29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
Does each extinguisher have a tag or label securely attached that indicates the month and year theinspection, maintenance, states that recharging wasperformed and identifies the person performing theservice? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
Are records of the annual maintenance check kept and retained for at least a year? [29 CFR 1910.157(e)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
When portable fire extinguishers are removed for service, are standby or spare units temporarily installedof the same type and capacity?[29 CFR 1910.157(e)(5)]	Y   N   N/A
Are stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers that require a 12-year hydrostatic test emptied andsubjected to applicable maintenance proceduresevery 6 years? [29 CFR 1910.157(e)(4)] Note: Dry chemical extinguishers withnon-refillable disposable containers are exempt from thisrequirement.	Y   N   N/A
Hydrostatic Testing
Are extinguishers hydrostatically tested at the intervals listed in the table below? [29 CFR 1910.157(f)(2)]   Type of Extinguishers Test Interval (years) Stored pressure water and/or      antifreeze 5  Wetting agent 5  Aqueous film forming agent      (AFFF) 5  Dry chemical with stainless steel  5  Carbon dioxide 5  Dry chemical, stored pressure,       with mild steel, brazed brass       or aluminum shells 12  Halon 1211 12  Halon 1301 12  Dry powder, cartridge or cylinder      operated with mild steel shells 12	Y   N   N/A
Is hydrostatic testing performed by trained persons with suitable testing equipment and facilities?[29 CFR 1910.157(f)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
Are hydrostatic testing certification records maintained that show the date of the test, the signature of the personwho performed the test, and the serial number (or otheridentifier) of the fire extinguisher that was tested?[29 CFR 1910.157(f)(16)]	Y   N   N/A

 
Definitions:
 

Class A fire: a fire involving ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cloth, and some rubber and plastic materials.

Class B fire: a fire involving flammable or combustible liquids, flammable gases, greases and similar materials, and some rubber and plastic materials.

Class C fire: a fire involving energized electrical equipment where safety requires the use of electrically nonconductive extinguishing media.

Class D fire: a fire involving combustible metals such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.

Incipient stage fire: a fire that is in the initial or beginning stage and can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipe or small hose systems without the need for protective clothing or breathing apparatus.

 
 
 
 

Indoor Air Quality

November 14, 2015, 6:47 pm

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Indoor Air Quality Self-Inspection Checklist

Guidelines: This checklist covers general recommendations for addressing indoor air quality issues in school districts. No Federal regulations or laws require these recommendations. States, however, may have additional regulations that apply.

		Please Circle
	General   1.    Is someone designated to develop and implement an indoorair quality management plan for your company?	Y   N   N/A
	2.    Does your district have an indoor air quality managementplan that includes steps for preventing and resolvingindoor air quality problems?	Y   N   N/A
	3.    Has your school district been tested for radon, and have radon-mitigation systems installed where needed?	Y   N   N/A
	4.    Does your school district use integrated pestmanagement principles in all areas?	Y   N   N/A
	5.    Is spot-treatment of pesticides used to control infested areas?	Y   N   N/A
	6.    Are all pesticide applicators trained in the safe use ofpesticides?	Y   N   N/A
	7.    Have painted surfaces in your district been tested forlead-based paint, and has a lead control or removalprogram been implemented?	Y   N   N/A
	8.    Are school buildings inspected once or twice each year forconditions that may lead to indoor air quality problems?	Y   N   N/A
	9.    Is a preventive maintenance schedule established and inoperation for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) system? Is the schedule in accordance with themanufacturer's recommendations or accepted practice forthe HVAC system?	Y   N   N/A
	10.  Does the HVAC preventive maintenance schedule includethe following?: checking and/or changing air filters and belts,lubricating equipment parts, checking the motors, andconfirming that all equipment is in operating order.	Y   N   N/A
	11.  Are damaged or inoperable components of the HVACsystem replaced or repaired as appropriate?	Y   N   N/A
	12.  Are reservoirs or parts of the HVAC system with standingwater checked visually for microbial growth?	Y   N   N/A
	13.  Are water leaks that could promote growth of biologicagents promptly repaired?	Y   N   N/A
	14.  Are damp or wet materials that could promote growth ofbiologic agents promptly dried, replaced, removed,or cleaned?	Y   N   N/A
	15.  Are microbial contaminants removed from ductwork,humidifiers, other HVAC and building system components,and from building surfaces such as carpeting and ceiling tileswhen found during regular or emergency maintenanceactivities or visual inspection?	Y   N   N/A
*	16.  Is general or local exhaust ventilation used wherehousekeeping and maintenance activities could reasonably beexpected to result in exposure to hazardous substances aboveapplicable exposure limits?	Y   N   N/A
*	17.  When point sources generate airborne concentrations ofcontaminants above applicable limits, are local exhaustventilation or substitution used to reduce the exposureconcentrations to below the limits?	Y   N   N/A
*	18.  When the carbon dioxide level exceeds 1,000 parts permillion, is the HVAC system checked and repaired asnecessary to ensure the system is operating properly?	Y   N   N/A
	19.  When the temperature is outside of the range of 68 to79ºF, is the HVAC system checked and repaired asnecessary to ensure the system is operating properly?	Y   N   N/A
	20.  Are humidity levels maintained between 30% to 60%relative humidity?	Y   N   N/A
	21.  When a contaminant is identified in the make-up air supply,is the source of the contaminant eliminated, or are themake-up inlets or exhaust air outlets relocated to avoid entryof the contaminant into the air system?	Y   N   N/A
	22.  If buildings do not have mechanical ventilation, are windows,doors, vents, stacks, and other portals used for naturalventilation operating properly?	Y   N   N/A
	23.  Are complaints promptly investigated that may involve abuilding-related illness?	Y   N   N/A
	Smoking  24.  Is smoking in school buildings prohibited except as part of aclassroom instruction or a theatrical production?	Y   N   N/A
	25.  Do written district board of education policies andprocedures prohibit smoking in school buildings?	Y   N   N/A
	Renovations and Remodeling  26.  During renovation work or new construction, are localventilation or other protective devices used to safeguardemployees and students from dust, stones, other smallparticles, and toxic gases, which may be harmful in certain quantities?	Y   N   N/A
	27.  Are renovation areas in occupied buildings isolated so thatdust and debris is confined to the renovation or construction area?	Y   N   N/A
	28.  Are precautions implemented in case lead-based paint isdisturbed during renovation or new construction?	Y   N   N/A
	29.  When renovating or during new construction, are productlabels checked, or is information obtained on whether paints,adhesives, sealants, solvents, insulation, particle board,plywood, floor coverings, carpet backing, textiles or othermaterials contain volatile organic compounds that could be emitted during regular use?	Y   N   N/A
	30.  Is the information referred to in Question 29 used to selectproducts and to determine necessary measures to be taken tocomply with indoor air quality regulations?	Y   N   N/A
	31.  Are employees notified at least 24 hours in advance, orpromptly in emergency situations, of work to be performedon the building that may introduce air contaminantsinto their work area?	Y   N   N/A
	Recordkeeping 32.  Is the maintenance schedule updated to show all maintenance performed on the building systems?	Y   N   N/A
	33.  Does the maintenance schedule include the dates that the building systems maintenance was performed and the names of the persons or companies performing the work?	Y   N   N/A
	34.  Are maintenance schedules retained for at least three years?	Y   N   N/A

Definitions:
 

Building systems includes the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system, the energy management system, and all other systems in a facility that may impact indoor air quality.

Integrated pest management is a sustainable approach to controlling pests by using biological, mechanical, physical, and chemical means in ways that minimize health risks, environmental risks, and cost.

 

Comments/Corrective action:
 
 

Noise (occupational) Self-Inspection Checklist

November 14, 2015, 6:49 pm

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Noise (occupational) Self-Inspection Checklist

Guidelines: This checklist is based on regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the general industry standard 29 CFR 1910.95. For noise exposure at constructions sites, please use the checklist entitledNoise, Radiation, and Other Exposures for Construction. These regulations are not designed to cover nuisance noise exposure (e.g. ambient noise, road traffic, etc.). They are designed to protect against hearing loss and apply to situations in which noise levels equal or exceed 85 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted-average. The OSHA permissible exposure limit (PEL) for noise is 90 dBA. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), however, recommends a different, more protective standard to prevent hearing loss. Please contact NIOSH (1-800-35-NIOSH) for information on their recommendations. The regulations cited apply only to private employers and their employees, unless adopted by a State agency and applied to other groups such as public employees. A yes answer to a question indicates that this portion of the inspection complies with the OSHA or EPA standard, or with a nonregulatory recommendation. Definitions of terms in bold type are provided at the end of the checklist.

Noise-generating operations, processes, and equipment to which people are exposed may cause hearing loss depending on the intensity and duration of exposure. Noisy machinery does not automatically mean a problem exists. As a general rule, if normal conversation is difficult between two people standing at arms length, further investigation is warranted. If noise problems are suspected, a formal evaluation by a qualified person, such as an industrial hygienist, is recommended to determine compliance. The questions below provide general guidance in evaluating your lab, shop or classroom.

		Please Circle
*	Have all operations or equipment believed to exceed an 8 hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA been measured to determine their noise levels?[29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
*	2.    If noise levels from operations or equipment equalor exceed 85 dBA, has personal noise dosimetrybeen performed on exposed persons to determinetheir 8-hour time-weighted-averages? [29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
*	3.    Does the employer administer a continuing, effectivehearing conservation program when noise exposuresequal or exceed 85 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted-average?[29 CFR 1910.95(c)	Y   N   N/A
	4.    Are hearing protectors available at no cost to all personsexposed to noise levels at or above 85 dBA as an8-hour time-weighted-average?[29 CFR 1910.95(i)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
*	5.    Have feasible engineering or administrative controlsbeen used to reduce operation or equipment noiselevels to below 90 dBA as an 8-hour time-weighted-average?[29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
	6.    Are noise measurements repeated when a change inoperations or equipment may increase noise exposure?[29 CFR 1910.95(d)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
	7.    Are employees permitted to observe noise measurements? [29 CFR 1910.95(f)]	Y   N   N/A
	8.    Are employees notified of noise monitoring results whenexposures equal or exceed 85 dBA as an8-hour time-weighted-average? [29 CFR 1910.95(e)]	Y   N   N/A
*	9.    Are hearing protectors evaluated to verify that theyeffectively reduce noise to levels below 85 dBA as an8-hour time-weighted-average? [29 CFR 1910.95(j)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
	10.  Are noise measurement records maintained for at least two years? [29 CFR 1910.95(m)(3)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
	11.  Are employees' hearing test records maintained forthe duration of matriculation or employment?[29 CFR 1910.95(m)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
	12.  Is a copy of the OSHA noise standard available toemployees, with a copy posted in work area? [29 CFR 1910.95(l)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
*	13.  If noise measurements indicate an 8-hour time-weighted-average of 85 dBA or greater, is a trainingprogram given that covers the effects of noise onhearing; the purpose of hearing protection and how to use it; and the purpose of audiometric testing? [29 CFR 1910.95(k)(3)(i),(ii),and (iii)]	Y   N   N/A
*	14.  If noise measurements indicate an 8-hour time-weighted-average of 85 dBA or greater, are baselineand annual audiometric tests given at no cost toemployees using properly calibratedtesting equipment? [29 CFR 1910.95 (g)(1),(2),(3),(4),and(h)]	Y   N   N/A
	15.  Are audiometric tests preceded by at least 14 hourswithout career-technical or occupational noise exposure?[29 CFR 1910.95(g)(5)(iii)]	Y   N   N/A
*	16.  Are audiometric tests conducted by a licensed orcertified audiologist; otolaryngologist, or otherphysician; or by a technician who is certified by theCouncil of Accreditation in Occupational HearingConservation or who has demonstrated competencein administering audiometric tests? [29 CFR 1910.95(g)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
	17.  If audiometric tests show hearing loss due to noiseexposure at work, are procedures in place forappropriate referrals, mandatory use of hearingprotection, and training? [29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8)(ii)(a)(b),and(c)]	Y   N   N/A
*	18.  Do all employees exposed to 85 dBA orabove as an 8-hour time-weighted-average receivehearing conservation training when they begin workand annually thereafter?[29 CFR 1910.95(k)(1)and(2)]	Y   N   N/A

 
Definitions:
 

8-hour time-weighted average: an average exposure weighted to account for time and changing noise levels throughout an 8-hour day.

Administrative controls: reducing the period of personal noise exposure by job rotation or adding periods of quiet to the work day or work process such that the 8-hour time-weighted-average noise level does not exceed permissible limits.

dBA: noise levels in decibels measured with a sound level meter set to the A scale. The A scale simulates how humans hear noise levels at different frequencies.

Permissible exposure limit (PEL): an employee's exposure limit to an airborne concentration of a substance which OSHA/USDOL publishes and enforces. It is expressed as an 8-hr time-weighted average (TWA). PELs are protective limits that shall not be exceeded.

Standpipe and Hose Fire Protection Systems

November 14, 2015, 6:49 pm

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Standpipe and Hose Fire Protection Systems Self-Inspection Checklist

Guidelines: This checklist covers regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under 29 CFR 1910.158. The OSHA regulations apply only to Class II and Class III standpipe systems with hoses that are intended for use by personnel to fight incipient fires. The installation of standpipe and hose fire protection systems is generally controlled by the building code in effect at the time of first occupancy. The regulations cited apply only to private employers and their employees, unless adopted by a State agency and applied to other groups such as public employees. Definitions of terms in bold type are provided at the end of the checklist.

Regulations dealing with standpipe water supply and testing requirements are not included as part of this checklist. Please consult the OSHA regulations for additional information.

	Please Circle
1.    Are Class II and Class III hose outlets and connectionslocated high enough above the floor so that they are easilyaccessible and not obstructed? [29 CFR 1910.158(c)(2)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
2.    Are Class II and Class III standpipe hose systems locatedso they are protected against mechanical damage?[29 CFR 1910.158(b)]	Y   N   N/A
3.    Is every hose outlet 1-1/2 inches or smaller equipped with ahose ready for use? [29 CFR 1910.158(c)(3)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
4.    Is the standpipe hose system equipped with shut-off typenozzles? [29 CFR 1910.158(c)(4)]	Y   N   N/A
5.    Are standardized screw threads or appropriate adaptersapplied throughout the system to assure the hose connectionsare compatible with those used on supporting fire equipment?[29 CFR 1910.158(c)(2)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
6.    Where reels and cabinets are used, are they conspicuouslyidentified for use by fire fighting personnel only?[29 CFR 1910.158(c)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
7.    When standpipe stations are enclosed in locked cabinets,and doors are equipped with approved visual identification clearglass panels, are glass panes easily broken? Is the door capable ofbeing opened when the glass panel is broken? Is the unlockinghandle painted red? Is the direction the handled must be pushed orpulled indicated to open the door? Is the door labeled Fireequipment-in case of fire, break glass and operate red handle?[recommended]	Y   N   N/A
8.    When standpipe stations are enclosed in locked cabinets anddoors are completely glass, is door labeled In case of fire,break glass? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
9.    Are fire department connections to standpipes labeledStandpipes on metal signs with raised letters at least 1 inchin size? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
10.  Are dry standpipe stations marked with a sign reading Dryhose-fire department use only with letters not less than2 inches high, in a color that contrasts with thebackground color? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
11.  Are valves in the main piping connection to the automaticsources of water supply kept fully open at all times exceptduring repair? [29 CFR 1910.158(e)(2)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
12.  Is the hose system inspected at least annually and after eachuse to assure that all the equipment and hoses are in place,available for use, and in serviceable condition?[29 CFR 1910.158(e)(2)(iii)]	Y   N   N/A
13.  Is hemp or linen hose on existing systems unracked,physically inspected for deterioration, and reracked usinga different fold pattern at least annually? [29 CFR 1910.158(e)(2)(v)]	Y   N   N/A
14.  Are standpipe fire lines tested at least every five years?[recommended]	Y   N   N/A
15.  Are damaged standpipe systems repaired promptly?[29 CFR 1910.158(b)]	Y   N   N/A
16.  When the system or any portion of it is found not to beserviceable, is it removed from service immediately andreplaced with equivalent protection, such as extinguishersand fire watches? [29 CFR 1910.158(e)(2)(iv)]	Y   N   N/A
17.  Are trained people designated to conduct inspectionsrequired under this section? [29 CFR 1910.158(e)(2)(vi)]	Y   N   N/A
18.  If standpipe stations are enclosed in cabinets, is access tothe cabinet unobstructed, and is the cabinet clearly visible?[29 CFR 1910.158(c)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
19.  If standpipe stations are enclosed in cabinets with opaquedoors, are doors unlocked and are cabinet contents indicatedon the outside? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A

 
Definitions:
 

Class I standpipe systems: a 2-1/2 inch hose connection for use by fire departments and those trained in handling heavy fire streams.

Class II standpipe systems: a 1-1/2 inch hose system that provides a means for the control or extinguishment of incipient stage fires.

Class III standpipe systems: a combined system of hoses used by in-house personnel trained in hose operations. The system is capable of furnishing effective water discharge during the more advanced stages of fire (beyond the incipient stage) inside workplaces. Hose outlets are available for both 1-1/2 inch and 2-1/2 inch hose.

Incipient stage fire: a fire that is in the initial or beginning stage and can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipe, or small hose systems without protective clothing or breathing apparatus.

Standpipe: a wet or dry pipe line, extending from the lowest to the topmost story of a building or structure, equipped with a shutoff valve with hose outlets at every story.

Comments/Corrective action:
 
 

Air quality dipped on Diwali, could have been worse if not for favourable weather

November 14, 2015, 8:55 pm

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Air quality dipped on Diwali, could have been worse if not for favourable weather

The CPCB said pollutants dispersed faster this year due to favourable weather conditions.

• 
  

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) Saturday confirmed particulate matter had peaked across its air quality monitoring stations on Diwali, hitting close to 600 micrograms per cubic metre, around six times the prescribed limit for PM10, and 80 times for PM2.5.
The CPCB said pollutants dispersed faster this year due to favourable weather conditions. So, the recorded PM levels have been in spite of these factors. “The data reveals there was a significant shift in wind direction on the festival day, which resulted (in) less humidity profile… besides increase in wind speed from 1.9 m/sec to 3.4 m/sec attributed to dispersion of pollutants. Normal atmospheric pressure of 988mb coupled with increased atmospheric mixing height to the level of 855 metres resulted (in) easy dispersion of air pollutants,” the CPCB noted.

• Lab in a box

The agency also confirmed that noise pollution levels at three of the six monitoring stations went up through the day in Pitampura, Kamla Nagar and Jangpura, ranging from 74 to 86 decibels against a standard of 55 dB(A). “In general, there was increase in ambient noise level due to bursting of crackers,” said a CPCB statement. The online monitoring system picked up an increase in noise levels at night time at all 10 monitoring stations except Delhi Technological University at Bawana.
The ministry of environment’s pollution control body noted that particulate matter levels, including the larger PM10, and smaller PM2.5 that penetrates respiratory tracts, went up across its monitoring stations, both in manual and online observation methods.
According to manual instrumentation followed by chemical methods, PM10 and PM2.5 levels started increasing steadily from November 5, a week before Diwali. PM10 peaked from 166 to 593 micrograms per cubic metre in East Arjun Nagar.
In Janakpuri, the levels went up from 119 to 554 micrograms per cubic metre. PM2.5 levels went up from 96 to 474 micrograms per cubic metre, and from 84 to 459 micrograms per cubic metre, respectively, in the same areas during this period.
“The concentration of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) exceeded the prescribed limit irrespective of locations,” the CPCB statement noted.
The online monitoring of air quality recorded a spike in PM2.5 from around 78 to 192 micrograms per cubic metre at IHBAS and from 108 to 121 micrograms per cubic metre at Shadipur.
The CPCB, however, did not record any spikes in levels of SO2 associated with cracker burning, as observed by independent agencies such as the Centre for Science and Environment, this year.
The CPCB said levels of NO2 associated with vehicular pollution also remained within safe limits.

Benzene, particulate matter pollute city the most, Delhi HC told

November 14, 2015, 8:57 pm

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Benzene, particulate matter pollute city the most, Delhi HC told

The court also took note of reports that the air quality monitoring stations indicated “extremely high” levels of pollutants.

 

Written by Aneesha Mathur | New Delhi | Published:March 26, 2015 2:33 am

The court also took note of reports that the air quality monitoring stations indicated “extremely high” levels of pollutants.The amicus curiae, appointed by the Delhi High Court to report on the extent of air pollution in Delhi, on Wednesday told the court that particulate matter — from construction and dust — and Benzene — an essential base in unleaded petrol — were the highest pollutants in the capital.
Taking note of directions issued by the National Green Tribunal earlier this year, the court of Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva observed that the orders relating to parking charges and removal of unauthorised parking “treated the symptoms and not the issue”.

The court has now asked the amicus curiae, senior advocate Kailash Vasdev, to “prepare an action plan” detailing reasons for each step. It asked the counsels for the Delhi Pollution Control Board (DPCC), the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Delhi government, the three municipal corporations and other civic agencies to be present on the next date of hearing so that “meaningful directions” can be issued.

The court also took note of reports submitted by the DPCC and Vasdev, observing that the six air quality monitoring stations — at
R K Puram, Civil Lines, IGI airport, Anand Vihar, Mandir Marg, and Punjabi Bagh — indicated “extremely high” levels of pollutants.
The court had earlier directed the government to submit data after continuously monitoring the air quality for a week.
According to DPCC’s affidavit, the “real time data is to inform the public and not for comparison with standards” as it may have “peaks” induced by “localised condition”.
Vasdev also informed the court that machines at monitoring stations “stopped” recording data after pollutant levels increased beyond the acceptable limit.
According to the senior lawyer, the levels for particulate matter, which causes respiratory problems, were much beyond the acceptable limit.

Frequently Asked Questions on Tropical Cyclones

November 15, 2015, 1:06 am

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Frequently Asked Questions

on

Tropical Cyclones

• What is a tropical cyclone?
• Why do 'tropical cyclones' winds rotate counter-clockwise (clockwise) in the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere?
• What does "maximum sustained wind" mean ? How does it relate to gusts in tropical cyclones?
• What is the energy potential of a tropical cyclone?
• How are low pressure system classified in India? What are the differences between low, depression and cyclone?
• Are all cyclonic storms equally dangerous?
• What are the super cyclone, super-typhoon, a major hurricane and an intense hurricane?
• Where do tropical cyclones form?
• What is the size of a tropical cyclone over the north Indian Ocean ?
• What is the structure of a Tropical Cyclone?
• What is a "CDO"?
• What is the "eye"? How is it formed and maintained? What is the "eyewall"? What are "spiral bands"?
• How does the cyclone look like in a Radar ?
• What is the wind structure in a cyclone?
• How do the cyclones form and intensify?
• What is the role of easterly wave on cyclogenesis in north Indian Ocean ?
• Is there any extra-tropical cyclone?
• What is the annual frequency of Cyclones over the Indian Seas? What is its intra-annual variation?
• What are the average, most, and least tropical cyclones occurring in this basin?
• How many severe tropical storms occur around the world and over north Indian Ocean every year?
• How many cyclones cross different coastal states of India?
• Which is the most intense tropical cyclone on record?
• Which are the largest and smallest tropical cyclones on record?
• Which tropical cyclone over north Indian Ocean have caused the most deaths and most damage?
• Why there are fewer cyclones over the Arabian Sea as compared to the Bay of Bengal?
• Why there are very few Tropical Cyclones during southwest monsoon season?
• What is the life period of cyclones? Which tropical cyclone lasted the longest?
• How are Tropical Cyclones monitored by IMD?
• How is cyclone monitored by satellite technique ?
• What is the utility of Radar in cyclone monitoring ?
• What is the present network of Cyclone Detection Radars?
• What are the basic differences between conventional analog type of Cyclone Detection Radar and the Doppler Weather Radar?
• What are the causes of disaster during cyclone?
• When does a coastal station start experiencing bad weather associated with a Cyclone?
• What is the amount of rainfall expected during a cyclone? Which sector gets more rainfall? What is the impact of heavy rainfall ?
• What are the largest rainfalls associated with tropical cyclones over north Indian Ocean?
• What may be the wind speed in most severe storm?
• What is the wind speed at the centre of a storm? What is weather there?
• How is the damage that cyclones cause related with wind ?
• Which sector of the cyclone experiences strongest winds?
• What causes each cyclone to have a different maximum wind speed for a given minimum sea-level pressure?
• Why do very severe cyclone or hurricane force winds start at 64 knots ?
• What is a Storm Surge?
• In which direction of a storm the surge will appear?
• What is storm tide?
• What is the interaction of astronomical tide with storm surge?
• What are the disaster potential of Storm Surge?
• What is the vulnerability our coastline from the point of view of storm surge potential?
• Can we predict storm surge?
• Which tropical cyclone has produced the highest storm surge?
• What is the damage potential of a deep depression (28 – 33 knots) and what are the suggested actions?
• What is the damage potential of a cyclonic storm (34-47 knots or 62 to 87 kmph) and what are the suggested actions?
• What is the damage potential of a severe cyclonic storm 48-63 Knots (88-117 Kmph) and what are the suggested actions?
• What is the damage potential of a very severe cyclonic storm (64-90 Knots or 118-167 Kmph) and what are the suggested actions?
• What is the damage potential of a very severe cyclonic storm (91-119 Knots or 168-221 Kmph) and what are the suggested actions?
• What is the damage potential of a super cyclonic storm 120 Knots (222 Kmph) & above? What are the suggested actions?
• What is the normal movement of a Tropical Cyclone?
• What are fast and slow moving cyclones?
• How track prediction is done in IMD ?
• What are the numerical weather prediction models used operationally for Tropical Cyclone track Prediction and storm surges in IMD?
• What is our accuracy of landfall prediction?
• How does IMD predict intensity of the cyclone ?
• What is the role of upper tropospheric westerly trough ?
• Why Tropical Cyclones weaken over land after landfall ?
• Doesn't the friction over land kill tropical cyclones?
• What are the abnormal characteristics associated with Tropical Cyclones?
• What is the organizational set up in IMD for Cyclone forecasting and Warning?
• What are the different bulletins issued by IMD in connection with the cyclone?
• What is 4-stage warning system for Tropical Cyclones?
• How frequently IMD issues these bulletins?
• Is there any order in mentioning the disastrous weather in the bulletin?
• What is port warning?
• What are fishermen warning?
• What is sea area bulletin?
• What is coastal weather bulletin?
• What is the meaning of widespread /fairly wide spread/scattered/isolated rainfall?
• What do you mean by heavy rainfall, very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy rainfall ?
• How does IMD mention state of sea in the bulletins?
• What is meaning of the reference time mentioned in the bulletin ?
• How are Cyclone Warnings disseminated ?
• What are the bulletins available in the website? What is the website address ?
• What is IVRS ? How does it work ?
• What is Cyclone Warning Dissemination System (CWDS)?
• Who are the recipients of Cyclone Warnings?
• How a common man gets information about a cyclonic storm?
• On the event of any doubt about approach of a cyclonic storm to whom a common man can approach to get authentic information (in absence of relevant AIR bulletins)?
• How does IMD keep liaison with State officials?
• What are the devastations which can not be protected by a common man and has to be mentally prepared to accept the loss?
• How to understand that the cyclonic storm has weakened/moved away?
• What are the pre-cyclone/during the cyclone/post cyclone responsibilities of a common man?
• How IMD coordinates with National Disaster Management Division (NDM) of the Ministry of Home Affairs?
• What is the role of IMD Tropical Cyclone management of north Indian Ocean Rim countries?
• What are the bulletins issued by RSMC, New Delhi?
• What is UTC? How do I tell at what time a satellite picture was taken?
• What is relation between kmph and knots (or m/s) ?
• Why are tropical cyclones named?
• How can I nominate a new name for the list?
• Can we tame a tropical Cyclone to reduce its damage potential?
• What are the different methods tried to modified the cyclone?
• What are the future plans of IMD to strengthen the Cyclone warning setup?

What is a tropical cyclone?

A tropical cyclone is a rotational low pressure system in tropics when the central pressure falls by 5 to 6 hPa from the surrounding and maximum sustained wind speed reaches 34 knots (about 62 kmph). It is a vast violent whirl of 150 to 800 km, spiraling around a centre and progressing along the surface of the sea at a rate of 300 to 500 km a day.

The word cyclone has been derived from Greek word ‘cyclos’ which means ‘coiling of a snake’. The word cyclone was coined by Heary Piddington who worked as a Rapporteur in Kolkata during British rule. The terms "hurricane" and "typhoon" are region specific names for a strong "tropical cyclone". Tropical cyclones are called “Hurricanes” over the Atlantic Ocean and “Typhoons” over the Pacific Ocean.

Why do 'tropical cyclones' winds rotate counter-clockwise (clockwise) in the Northern (Southern) Hemisphere?

As the earth's rotation sets up an apparent force (called the Coriolis force) that pulls the winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere (and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere). So, when a low pressure starts to form over north of the equator, the surface winds will flow inward trying to fill in the low and will be deflected to the right and a counter-clockwise rotation will be initiated. The opposite (a deflection to the left and a clockwise rotation) will occur south of the equator.

This Coriolis force is too tiny to effect rotation in, for example, water that is going down the drains of sinks and toilets. The rotation in those will be determined by the geometry of the container and the original motion of the water. Thus, one can find both clockwise and counter-clockwise flowing drains no matter what hemisphere you are located. If you don't believe this, test it out for yourself.

What does "maximum sustained wind" mean ? How does it relate to gusts in tropical cyclones?

India Meteorological Department (IMD) uses a 3 minutes averaging for the sustained wind. The maximum sustained wind mentioned in the bulletins used by IMD is the highest 3 minutes surface wind occurring within the circulation of the system. These surface winds are observed (or, more often, estimated) at the standard meteorological height of 10 m (33 ft) in an unobstructed exposure (i.e., not blocked by buildings or trees).

The National Hurricane Centre uses a 1 minute averaging time for reporting the sustained wind. Some countries also use 10 minutes averaging time for this purpose. While one can utilize a simple ratio to convert from peak 10 minute wind to peak 1 minute wind or 3 minute wind, such systematic differences to make interbasin comparison of tropical cyclones around the world is problematic. However there is no significant difference between the maximum sustained wind reported in different basis with different averaging method.

What is the energy potential of a tropical cyclone?

Tropical Cyclone can be compared to a heat engine. The energy input is from warm water and humid air over tropical oceans. Release of heat is through condensation of water vapour to water droplets/rain. Only a small percentage (3%) of this released energy is converted into Kinetic energy to maintain cyclone circulation (windfield). A mature cyclone releases energy equivalent to that of 100 hydrogen bombs.

How are low pressure system classified in India? What are the differences between low, depression and cyclone?

The low pressure system over Indian region are classified based on the maximum sustained winds speed associated with the system and the pressure deficit/ number of closed isobars associated with the system. The pressure criteria is used, when the system is over land and wind criteria is used, when the system is over the sea. The system is called as low if there is one closed isobar in the interval of 2 hPa. It is called depression, if there are two closed isobars, a deep depression, if there are three closed isobars and cyclonic storm if there are four or more closed isobars. The detailed classification based on wind criteria are given in the Table below. Considering wind criteria, the system with wind speed of 17-27 knots is called as depression and the low pressure system with maximum sustained 3 minutes surface winds between 28-33 knots is called a deep depression. The system with maximum sustained 3 minutes surface winds of 34 knots or more is called as cyclonic storm

System	Pressure deficient hPa	Associated wind speed Knots (Kmph)
Low pressure area	1.0	<17(<32)
Depression	1.0- 3.0	17-27 (32–50)
Deep Depression	3.0 - 4.5	28-33 (51–59)
Cyclonic Storm	4.5- 8.5	34-47 (60-90)
Severe Cyclonic Storm (SCS)	8.5-15.5	48-63 (90-119)
Very Severe Cyclonic Storm	15.5-65.6	64-119 (119-220)
Super Cyclonic Storm	>65.6	>119(>220)

Are all cyclonic storms equally dangerous?

No, all cyclonic storms are not equally dangerous. More the pressure drop at the central region more will be the severity of the storm. The cyclonic storms are generally categorised according to the maximum wind associated with the storm. If the maximum wind is between 34 - 47 knots (about 60-90 kmph) it is called a Cyclonic storm. Severe Cyclonic storm will have maximum wind speed between 48 - 63 knots (about 90-120 kmph). If the maximum wind is 64-119 knots it will be called a very severe Cyclonic storm and when the wind is 120 knots and above it will be called super cyclonic storm. There is very little association between intensity (either measured by maximum sustained winds or by the lowest central pressure) and size (measured by radius of gale force winds)

What are the super cyclone, super-typhoon, a major hurricane and an intense hurricane?

When themaximum sustained 3 minutes surface winds are more than 119 knots, the low pressure system is called as "Super Cyclone" over north Indian Ocean. Similarly, “Super-typhoon"is a term utilized by the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Centre for typhoons that reach maximum sustained 1 minute surface windsof at least 130 knots (65 m/s). This is the equivalent of a strong Saffir-Simpson category 4 or category 5 hurricane in the Atlantic basin or a category 5 severe tropical cyclone in the Australian basin.

Where do tropical cyclones form?

The tropical cyclones form over ocean basins in lower latitudes of all oceans except south Atlantic and southeast Pacific. The tropical cyclones develop over the warm water of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The favourable ocean basins for development of cyclonic storms are shown in the figure below.

TC breeding grounds are located over certain ocean basins. Arrows indicate average trajectories over different basins

What is the size of a tropical cyclone over the north Indian Ocean

The size of a tropical cyclone over Indian seas varies from 50-100 km radius to 2000 km with an average of 300 –600 km.

What is the structure of a tropical cyclone?

A fully developed tropical cyclone has a central cloud free region of calm winds, known as the “eye” of the cyclone with diameter varying from 10 to 50 km. Surrounding the eye is the “wall cloud region” characterised by very strong winds and torrential rains, which has the width of about 10 to 150 km. The winds over this region rotate around the centre and resemble the “coils of a snake”. Wind speed fall off gradually away from this core region, which terminate over areas of weaker winds with overcast skies and occasional squall .There may be one or more spiral branch in a cyclone where higher rainfall occurs. The vertical extent of the cyclone is about 15 km. The INSAT imagery of Orissa Super cyclone on 29^thOctober, 1999 is shown in the figure below.

What is a "CDO"?

"CDO"is an acronym that stands for "central dense overcast". This is the cirrus cloud shield that results from the thunderstorms in the eyewall of a tropical cyclone and its rainbands. Before the tropical cyclone reaches very severe cyclonic storm (64 knots,), typically the CDO is uniformly showing the cold cloud tops of the cirrus with no eye apparent. Once the storm reaches the hurricane strength threshold, usually an eye can be seen in either the infrared or visible channels of the satellites. Tropical cyclones that have nearly circular CDO's are indicative of favourable, low vertical shear environments.

What is the "eye"? How is it formed and maintained? What is the "eyewall"? What are "spiral bands"?

The "eye"is a roughly circular area of comparatively light winds and fair weather found at the centre of a severe tropical cyclone. Although the winds are calm at the axis of rotation, strong winds may extend well into the eye. There is little or no precipitation and sometimes blue sky or stars can be seen. The eye is the region of lowest surface pressure and warmest temperatures aloft - the eye temperature may be 10°C warmer or more at an altitude of 12 km than the surrounding environment, but only 0-2°C warmer at the surface in the tropical cyclone. Eyes range in size from 8 km to over 200 km across, but most are approximately 30-60 km in diameter.

The eye is surrounded by the "eyewall", the roughly circular ring of deep convection, which is the area of highest surface winds in the tropical cyclone. The eye is composed of air that is slowly sinking and the eyewall has a net upward flow as a result of many moderate - occasionally strong - updrafts and downdrafts. The eye's warm temperatures are due to compressional warming of the subsiding air. Most soundings taken within the eye show a low-level layer, which is relatively moist, with an inversion above - suggesting that the sinking in the eye typically does not reach the ocean surface, but instead only gets to around 1-3 km of the surface.

The exact mechanism by which the eye forms remains somewhat controversial. One idea suggests that the eye forms as a result of the downward directed pressure gradient associated with the weakening and radial spreading of the tangential wind field with height (Smith, 1980). Another hypothesis suggests that the eye is formed when latent heat release in the eyewall occurs, forcing subsidence in the storm's centre (Shapiro and Willoughby, 1982). It is possible that these hypotheses are not inconsistent with one another. In either case, as the air subsides, it is compressed and warms relative to air at the same level outside the eye and thereby becomes locally buoyant. This upward buoyancy approximately balances the downward directed pressure gradient so that the actual subsidence is produced by a small residual force.

Another feature of tropical cyclones that probably plays a role in forming and maintaining the eye is the eyewall convection. Convection in tropical cyclones is organized into long, narrow rainbands which are oriented in the same direction as the horizontal wind. Because these bands seem to spiral into the centre of a tropical cyclone, they are called "spiral bands". Along these bands, low-level convergence is a maximum, and therefore, upper-level divergence is most pronounced above. A direct circulation develops in which warm, moist air converges at the surface, ascends through these bands, diverges aloft, and descends on both sides of the bands. Subsidence is distributed over a wide area on the outside of the rainband but is concentrated in the small inside area. As the air subsides, adiabatic warming takes place, and the air dries. Because subsidence is concentrated on the inside of the band, the adiabatic warming is stronger inward from the band causing a sharp contrast in pressure falls across the band since warm air is lighter than cold air. Because of the pressure falls on the inside, the tangential winds around the tropical cyclone increase due to increased pressure gradient. Eventually, the band moves toward the centre and encircles it and the eye and eyewall form.

Thus, the cloud-free eye may be due to a combination of dynamically forced centrifuging of mass out of the eye into the eyewall and to a forced descent caused by the moist convection of the eyewall. This topic is certainly one that can use more research to ascertain which mechanism is primary.

                 Some of the most intense tropical cyclones exhibit concentric eyewalls, two or more eyewall structures centreed at the circulation centre of the storm. Just as the inner eyewall forms, convection surrounding the eyewall can become organized into distinct rings. Eventually, the inner eye begins to feel the effects of the subsidence resulting from the outer eyewall, and the inner eyewall weakens, to be replaced by the outer eyewall. The pressure rises due to the destruction of the inner eyewall are usually more rapid than the pressure falls due to the intensification of the outer eyewall, and the cyclone itself weakens for a short period of time.

How does the cyclone look like in a Radar ?

According to Radar imagery, a matured cyclone consists of eye, eye wall, spiral bands, pre-cyclone squall lines and streamers as shown in the above figure.

What is the wind structure in a cyclone?

The ideal wind and cloud distribution in a cyclone is shown in the following figure.

The band of maximum winds may vary between 10 and 150 Km. In this belt, speed decreases rapidly towards the eye of the cyclone. But it decreases slowly and in an irregular fashion outward from the eye wall.

How do the cyclones form and intensify?

In the tropics, weak pressure waves move from east to west. These are called easterly waves. Under favourable situation, a low pressure area forms over the area of an easterly trough. This gives rise to low level convergence. If the sea is warm (sea surface temperature > = 26.5⁰ C) and there is sufficient upper level divergence i.e air is blown off at higher levels from the area of low pressure, the pressure gradually falls. Low level convergence coupled with upper level divergence gives rise to vertical motion taking moist air upwards. These moistures condense at higher levels (middle troposphere) and give out latent heat of condensation. Due to release of heat of condensation the area warms up resulting into further fall in pressure. This process continues and a low pressure

system gradually intensifies into a cyclonic storm.

Hence, for tropical cyclogenesis, there are several favourable environmental conditions that must be in place. They are:-

1. Warm ocean waters (of at least 26.5°C) throughout a sufficient depth (unknown how deep, but at least on the order of 50 m). Warm waters are necessary to fuel the heat engine of the tropical cyclone.
2. An atmosphere which cools fast enough with height such that it is potentially unstable to moist convection. It is the thunderstorm activity which allows the heat stored in the ocean waters to be liberated for the tropical cyclone development.
3. Relatively moist layers near the mid-troposphere (5 km). Dry mid levels are not conducive for allowing the continuing development of widespread thunderstorm activity.
4. A minimum distance of at least 500 km from the equator. For tropical cyclogenesis to occur, there is a requirement for non-negligible amounts of the Coriolis Force (attributed to earth’s rotation) to provide the near gradient wind balance to occur. Without the Coriolis Force, the low pressure of the disturbance cannot be maintained. This is the reason why the narrow corridor of width of about 300 km on either side of the equator is free from cyclones. Because of this there is no inter-hemispheric migration of tropical cyclones across the equator.
5. A pre-existing near-surface disturbance with sufficient vorticity (rotation) and convergence. Tropical cyclones cannot be generated spontaneously. To develop, they require a weakly organized system with sizable spin and low level inflow.
6. Low values (less than about 10 m/s or 20 kts) of vertical wind shear between the lower (1.5 km) and the upper troposphere (12 km). Vertical wind shear is the magnitude of wind change with height. Large values of vertical wind shear disrupt the incipient tropical cyclone and can prevent genesis, or, if a tropical cyclone has already formed, large vertical shear can weaken or destroy the tropical cyclone by interfering with the organization of deep convection around the cyclone centre.

The above conditions are necessary, but not sufficient as many disturbances that appear to have favourable conditions do not develop. However, these criteria fit well over the north Indian Ocean

What is the role of easterly waves on cyclogenesis in north Indian Ocean ?

It has been recognized since at least the 1930s that lower tropospheric westward traveling disturbances often serve as the "seedling" circulations for a large proportion of tropical cyclones. These disturbances are known as easterly waves. The waves move generally toward the west in the lower tropospheric trade wind flow. They are first seen usually in October to April. The waves have a period of about 3 or 4 days and a wavelength of 2000 to 2500 km. One should keep in mind that the "waves" can be more correctly thought of as the convectively active troughs along an extended wave train. Though, these waves are generated frequently, but it appears that the number that is formedhas no relationship to how much tropical cyclone activity there is over the north Indian Ocean each year. It is currently completely unknown, how, easterly waves change from year to year in both intensity and location and how these might relate to the activity ?

Is there any extra-tropical cyclone?

Extra-tropical cyclones are low pressure systems with associated cold fronts, warm fronts, and occluded fronts. The extra-tropical cyclone is a storm system that primarily gets its energy from the horizontal temperature contrasts that exist in the atmosphere. Extra-tropical cyclones are low pressure systems with associated cold fronts, warm fronts, and occluded fronts. Tropical cyclones, in contrast, typically have little to no temperature differences across the storm at the surface and their winds are derived from the release of energy due to cloud/rain formation from the warm moist air of the tropics. Structurally, tropical cyclones have their strongest winds near the earth's surface, while extra-tropical cyclones have their strongest winds near the tropopause - about 12 km up. These differences are due to the tropical cyclone being "warm-core" in the troposphere (below the tropopause) and the extra-tropical cyclone being "warm-core" in the stratosphere (above the tropopause) and "cold-core" in the troposphere. "Warm-core" refers to being relatively warmer than the environment at any level.

Often, a tropical cyclone will transform into an extra-tropical cyclone as it recurves poleward and to the east. Occasionally, an extra-tropical cyclone will lose its frontal features, develop convection near the centre of the storm and transform into a full-fledged tropical cyclone. Such a process is most common in the north Atlantic and northwest Pacific basins. The transformation of tropical cyclone into an extra-tropical cyclone (and vice versa) is currently one of the most challenging forecast problems.

What is the annual frequency of Cyclones over the Indian Seas? What is its intra-annual variation?

The average annual frequency of tropical cyclones in the north Indian Ocean (Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea) is about 5 (about 5-6 % of the Global annual average) and about 80 cyclones form around the globe in a year. The frequency is more in the Bay of Bengal than in the Arabian Sea, the ratio being 4:1. The monthly frequency of tropical cyclones in the north Indian Ocean display a bi-modal characteristic with a primary peak in November and secondary peak in May. The months of May-June and October-November are known to produce cyclones of severe intensity. Tropical cyclones developing during the monsoon months (July to September) are generally not so intense.

The frequencies of Cyclonic systems over north Indian Ocean during 1891-2006 are given in the figure below.

What are the average, most, and least tropical cyclones occurring in this basin?

The most, least and average numbers of cyclonic storms and severe cyclonic storms over the north Indian ocean is given in the Table below:

• Minimum No. of cyclones in a year - One (1949)
• Maximum No. of cyclones in a year – Ten (1893,1926,1930,1976)
• Out oftotal disturbances - 35% intensify to Cyclones

16 % intensify to severe cyclones

07% intensify to very severe cyclones

Basin	Cyclonic storm			Severe cyclonic storm
	Most	Least	Average	Most	Least	Average
N Indian Ocean	10	1	5.4	6	0	2.5

How many severe tropical storms occur around the world and over north Indian Ocean every year?

About 20-30 severe tropical storms occur around the world every year. Over the north Indian Ocean, 2-3 severe cyclonic storms form out of total 5-6 cyclonic storms

How many cyclones cross different coastal states of India?

       The frequencies of cyclonic storms crossing different coastal states of India during 1891-2006 are shown in the figure below. The frequency of severe cyclonic storms is maximum for Andhra Pradesh while that of cyclone is maximum for Orissa. Considering west coast only, Gujarat is most vulnerable.

Which is the most intense tropical cyclone on record?

Typhoon Tip in the Northwest Pacific Ocean on 12 October, 1979 was measured to have a central pressure of 870 hPa and estimated surface sustained winds of 165 knots (85 m/s). Typhoon Nancy on 12 September, 1961 is listed in the best track data for the Northwest Pacific region as having an estimated maximum sustained winds of 185 knots (95 m/s) with a central pressure of 888 hPa. However, it is now recognized that the maximum sustained winds estimated for typhoons during the 1940s to 1960s were too strong and that the 95 m/s (and numerous 83 to 93 m/s reports) is somewhat too high.

Note that Hurricane Gilbert's 888 hPa lowest pressure (estimated from flight level data) in mid September, 1988 is the most intense [as measured by lowest sea level pressure] for the Atlantic basin, it is almost 20 hPa weaker (higher) than the above Typhoon Tip of the Northwest Pacific Ocean.

While the central pressures for the Northwest Pacific typhoons are the lowest globally, the North Atlantic hurricanes have provided sustained wind speeds possibly comparable to the Northwest Pacific. From the best track database, both Hurricane Camille (1969) and Hurricane Allen (1980) have winds that are estimated to be 165 knots (85 m/s). Measurements of such winds are inherently going to be suspect as instruments often are completely destroyed or damaged at these speeds.

Orissa super cyclone, 1999 which crossed Orissa coast near Paradip on 29^th October, 1999 was the most intense cyclonic storm over north Indian Ocean in the recorded history of the region. The estimated sustained maximum surface wind speed was about 140 knots at the time of landfall and lowest estimated central pressure was 912 hPa.

A few cyclones that have originated over the Bay of Bengal have reached the intensity of Super Cyclones and have caused great devastations to life and property. The estimates of maximum sustained winds of these systems are estimated from satellite imageries. The list of very intense Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal since 1990 is given below.

.Place of landfall	Date of landfall	Maximum sustained winds (kmph) - estimated on the basis of satellite imageries
Chittagong	13 November, 1970	224
Chirala, Andhra Pradesh	19 November, 1977	260
Rameshwaram	24 November 1978	204
Sriharikota	14 November, 1984	213
Bangla Desh	30 November, 1988	213
Kavali, Andhra Pradesh	9 November, 1989	235
Machlipatnam, AP	9 May ,1990	235
Chittagong	29 April, 1991	235
Teknaf (Myanmar)	2 May, 1994	204
Teknaf	19 May, 1997	235
Paradip, Orissa	29 October, 1999	260
89.80E, Bangladesh	15 November, 2007	220
16.00N, Myanmar	02 May, 2008	200

Which are the largest and smallest tropical cyclones on record?

Typhoon Tip had gale force winds 34 knots (17 m/s), which extended out for 1100 km in radius in the Northwest Pacific on 12 October, 1979. Tropical Cyclone Tracy had gale force winds that only extended 50 km radius when it struck Darwin, Australia, on 24 December,1974.

Considering north Indian Ocean, Orissa super cyclone of October, 1999 and the cyclone, ‘Ogni’ were the largest and smallest cyclones during 1891-2007.

Which tropical cyclone over north Indian Ocean have caused the most deaths and most damage?

The death toll in the infamous Bangladesh Cyclone of 1970 has had several estimates, some wildly speculative, but it seems certain that at least 300,000 people died from the associated storm tide [surge] in the low-lying deltas.

Why there are fewer cyclones over the Arabian Sea as compared to the Bay of Bengal?

Cyclones that form over the Bay of Bengal are either those develop insitu over southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Andaman Sea or remnants of typhoons over Northwest Pacific and move across south China sea to Indian Seas. As the frequency of typhoons over Northwest Pacific is quite high (about 35 % of the global annual average), the Bay of Bengal also gets its increased quota.

The cyclones over the Arabian Sea either originate insitu over southeast Arabian Sea (which includes Lakshadweep area also) or remnants of cyclones from the Bay of Bengal that move across south peninsula. As the majority of Cyclones over the Bay of Bengal weaken over land after landfall, the frequency of migration into Arabian Sea is low.

In addition to all the above the Arabian Sea is relatively colder than Bay of Bengal and hence inhibits the formation and intensification of the system.

Why there are very few Tropical Cyclones during southwest monsoon season?

The southwest monsoon is characterized by the presence of strong westerly winds in the lower troposphere (below 5 km) and very strong easterly winds in the upper troposphere (above 9 km) .This results in large vertical wind shear. Strong vertical wind shear inhibits cyclone development.

Also the potential zone for the development of cyclones shifts to North Bay of Bengal during southwest monsoon season. During this season, the low pressure system upto the intensity of depressions form along the monsoon trough, which extends from northwest India to the north Bay of Bengal. The Depression forming over this area crosses Orissa – West Bengal coast in a day or two. These systems have shorter oceanic stay which is also one of the reasons for their non-intensification into intense cyclones.

What is the life period of cyclones? Which tropical cyclone lasted the longest?

Life period of a Tropical Cyclone over the north Indian Ocean is 5-6 days. It will have hurricane intensity for 2-4 days as against 6 days of global average. Life period of the longest lived Tropical cyclone in Indian seas is 14 days (2^nd -15^th Nov, 1886 & 16^th - 29^th Nov, 1964).Hurricane/Typhoon John lasted 31 days as it traveled both the Northeast and Northwest Pacific basins during August and September, 1994. (It formed in the Northeast Pacific, reached hurricane force there, moved across the dateline and was renamed Typhoon John, and then finally recurved back across the dateline and renamed Hurricane John again.) Hurricane Ginger was a tropical cyclone for 28 days in the North Atlantic Ocean back in 1971. It should be noted that prior to the weather satellite era (1961) many tropical cyclones' life cycles could be underestimated.

How are Tropical Cyclones monitored by IMD?

IMD has a well-established and time-tested organization for monitoring and forecasting tropical cyclones. A good network of meteorological observatories (both surface and upper air) is operated by IMD, covering the entire coastline and islands. The conventional observations are supplemented by observational data from automatic weather stations (AWS), radar and satellite systems. INSAT imagery obtained at hourly intervals during cyclone situations has proved to be immensely useful in monitoring the development and movement of cyclones.

How is cyclone monitored by satellite technique ?

The satellite technique can be used to find out the centre and intensity of the system. It can also be used to find out various derived parameters which are useful for monitoring and prediction of the cyclones and associated disastrous weather.

Dvorak’s technique based on pattern recognition in the cloud imagery based on satellite observation is used to determine the intensity of cyclonic storm. For this purpose a T. No. where T stands for tropical cyclone is assigned to the system. This scale of T Nos. varies from T 1.0 to T 8.0 at the interval of 0.5. The T 2.5 corresponds to the intensity of a cyclonic storm. The detailed classification of cyclonic disturbances based on above technique is given below:

“T” CLASSIFICATION OF CYCLONIC STORM AND

CORRESPONDING WIND SPEED AND PRESSURE DEFECT (?P)

T. Number/ C.I. Number	Classification of Cyclonic Disturbance	Wind speed in Knots	Wind speed In Kmph	?P	Wind criteria in Knots	Wind criteria in Kmph
T1.0	L				?17	?31
T1.5	D	25	46.3		17-27	31-49
T2.0	DD	30	55.6	4.5	28-33	50-61
T2.5	CS	35	64.9	6.1	34-47	62-88
T3.0		45	83.4	10.0
T3.5	SCS	55	101.9	15.0	48-63	89-117
T4.0	VSCS	65	120.5	20.9	64-119	119-221
T4.5		77	142.7	29.4
T5.0		90	166.8	40.2
T5.5		102	189.0	51.6
T6.0		115	213.1	65.6
T6.5	SuCS	127	235.4	80.0	120 AND ABOVE	222 AND ABOVE
T7.0		140	259.5	97.2
T7.5		155	287.3	119.1
T8.0		170	315.1	143.3

What is the utility of Radar in cyclone monitoring ?

The radar can be utilized to find out the location of the cyclonic storm more accurately when the system comes within radar range. In addition it can find out convective cloud cluster, wind distribution, rainfall rate etc.

What is the present network of Cyclone Detection Radars?

A network of conventional Cyclone Detection Radars (CDRs) has been established at Kolkata, Paradip, Visakhapatnam, Machilipatnam, Chennai and Karaikal along the east coast and Goa, Cochin, Mumbai and Bhuj along the west coast. These conventional radars are being phased out and replaced by Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs). DWR have already been installed and made operational at Chennai, Kolkata, Visakhapatnam and Machlipatnam. An indigenously developed DWR Radar by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has been installed at Sriharikota.

It is proposed to replace all the conventional radars by DWRs during the next 3-4 years.

What are the basic differences between conventional analog type of Cyclone Detection Radar and the Doppler Weather Radar?

While conventional weather radar can look deeper into a weather system to provide information on intensity rain-rate, vertical extent, the capability to probe internal motion of the hydrometers and hence to derive information on velocity and turbulence structure has become available only with the advent of Doppler Weather Radar (DWRs) which provide vital information on radial velocity from which wind field of a tropical disturbance in the reconnaissance area of DWR can be derived. In addition to above, a number of derived parameters useful for cyclone monitoring and prediction are also available from DWR.

What are the causes of disaster during cyclone?

The dangers associated with cyclonic storms are generally three fold.

1. Very heavy rains causing floods.

2. Strong wind.

3. Storm surge.

Let us discuss each separately:

(i) The rainfall associated with a storm vary from storm to storm even with the same intensity. Record rainfall in a cyclonic storm has been as low as trace to as high as 250 cms. It has been found that the intensity of rainfall is about 85 cms/day within a radius of 50 kms and about 35 cms/day between 50 to 100 kms from the centre of the storm. Precipitation of about 50 cm/day is quite common with a C.S. This phenomenal rain can cause flash flood.

(ii) The strong wind speed associated with a cyclonic storm. (60-90 kmph) can result into some damage to kutcha houses and tree branches likely to break off. Winds of a severe Cyclonic storm (90-120 kmph) can cause uprooting of trees, damage to pucca houses and disruption of communications. The wind associated with a very severe Cyclonic storm and super cyclonic storm can uproot big trees, cause wide spread damages to houses and installations and total disruption of communications. The maximum wind speed associated with a very severe Cyclonic storm that hit Indian coast in the past 100 years was 260 kmph in Oct., 1999 (Paradeep Super cyclone).

(iii) The severest destructive feature of a tropical storm is the storm surge popularly called tidal waves. The costal areas are subjected to storm surge and is accentuated if the landfall time coincides with that of high tides. This is again more if the sea bed is shallow. Storm surge as high as 15 to 20 ft. may occur when all the factors contributing to storm surge are maximum. This storm tide inundates low lying coastal areas which has far reaching consequences apart from flooding. The fertility of land is lost due to inundation by saline water for a few years to come.

When does a coastal station start experiencing bad weather associated with a Cyclone?

Coasts come under the influence of bad weather in the form of heavy rain, gale winds (exceeding 65 kmph) when the cyclone moves closer to the coast within 200km. Heavy rainfall generally commences about 9-12 hours before cyclone landfall. Gale force winds commence about 6-9 hours in advance of cyclone landfall. Maximum storm surge may appear at or near the landfall time.

What is the amount of rainfall expected during a cyclone? Which sector gets more rainfall? What is the impact of heavy rainfall ?

Intensive Rainfall occurs to the left of the Cyclone. Maximum rainfall occurs close to the centre of the storm. Secondary maximum of rainfall occurs 2º away from Primary maximum to the right of the storm centre. Slow moving/big size cyclones give more rainfall, whereas, fast moving/small size ones give less rainfall. More than 90% of rainfall is limited within 200 Km radius of the storm. Extensive rainfall occurs in the left forward sector for westward moving system and forward sector for northward moving system and right forward sector for those re-curving to east and northeast.

The governing factors for rainfall distribution and intensity are intensity, speed and size of the storm and local effects such as topography and orientation of the coast.

What are the largest rainfalls associated with tropical cyclones over north Indian Ocean?

         The rainfall can vary from trace/ nil rainfall when the system moves skirting the coast to maximum rainfall upto 50-60 cm per day. In the recent super cyclone which crossed Orissa coast near Paradip on 29^th October 1999, Paradip recorded 24 hr cumulative rainfall of about 52 cm at 0830 IST of 30^th October 1999.

What may be the wind speed in most severe storm?

The wind speed may be as high as 300 kmph.

What is the wind speed at the centre of a storm? What is weather there?

Nearly calm wind with fair weather prevails at the centre of the storm.

How is the damage that cyclones cause related with wind ?

The amount of damage does not increase linearly with the wind speed. Instead, the damage produced increases exponentially with the winds.

Which sector of the cyclone experiences strongest winds?

In general, the strongest winds in a cyclone are found on the right side of the storm. The "right side of the storm" is defined with respect to the storm's motion: if the cyclone is moving to the west, the right side would be to the north of the storm; if the cyclone is moving to the north, the right side would be to the east of the storm, etc. The strongest wind on the right side of the storm is mainly due to the fact that the motion of the cyclone also contributes to its swirling winds. A cyclone with a 145 kmph winds while stationary would have winds up to 160 kmph on the right side and only 130 kmph on the left side if it began moving (any direction) at 16 kmph. While writing the cyclone warning bulletins, this asymmetry is taken into consideration.

For tropical cyclones in the Southern Hemisphere, these differences are reversed: the strongest winds are on the left side of the storm. This is because the winds swirl clockwise south of the equator in tropical cyclones.

What causes each cyclone to have a different maximum wind speed for a given minimum sea-level pressure?

The basic horizontal balance in a tropical cyclone above the boundary layer is between the sum of the Coriolis 'acceleration' and the centripetal 'acceleration', balanced by the horizontal pressure gradient force. This balance is referred to as gradient balance, where the Coriolis 'acceleration' is defined as the horizontal velocity of an air parcel, v, times the Coriolis parameter, f. Centripetal 'force' is defined as the acceleration on a parcel of air moving in a curved path, directed toward the centre of curvature of the path, with magnitude v²/r, where v is the horizontal velocity of the parcel and r the radius of curvature of the path. The centripetal force alters the original two-force geostrophic balance and creates a non-geostrophic gradient wind. The reason that different peak winds can result in different central pressures is caused by the fact that the radius, r, of the peak wind varies. A storm with 40 m/s peak winds with a 100 km RMW will have a much lower pressure drop than one with a 25 km RMW.

Why do very severe cyclone or hurricane force winds start at 64 knots ?

In 1805-06, Commander Francis Beaufort RN (later Admiral Sir Francis Beaufort) devised a descriptive wind scale in an effort to standardize wind reports in ship's logs. His scale divided wind speeds into 14 Forces (soon after pared down to thirteen) with each Force assigned a number, a common name, and a description of the effects such a wind would have on a sailing ship. And since the worst storm an Atlantic sailor was likely to run into was a hurricane that name was applied to the top Force on the scale.

          
           During the 19^th Century, with the manufacture of accurate anemometers, actual numerical values were assigned to each Force level, but it wasn't until 1926 (with revisions in 1939 and 1946) that the International Meteorological Committee (predecessor of the WMO) adopted a universal scale of wind speed values. It was a progressive scale with the range of speed for Forces increasing as you go higher. Thus Force 1 is only 3 knots in range, while the Force 11 is eight knots in range. So Force 12 starts out at 64 knots (74 mph, 33 m/s).

There is nothing magical in this number, and since hurricane force winds are a rare experience chances are the committee which decided on this number didn't do so because of any real observations during a hurricane. Indeed the Smeaton-Rouse wind scale in 1759 pegged hurricane force at 70 knots (80 mph, 36 m/s). Just the same, when a tropical cyclone has maximum winds of approximately these speeds we do see the mature structure (eye, eyewall, spiral rainbands) begin to form, so there is some utility with setting hurricane force in this neighborhood.

What is a Storm Surge?

Storm Surge is an abnormal rise of sea level as the cyclone crosses the coast. Sea water inundates the coastal strip causing loss of life, large scale destruction to property & crop. Increased salinity in the soil over affected area makes the land unfit for agricultural use for two or three seasons.

Storm surge depends on intensity of the cyclone (Maximum winds and lowest pressure associated with it and Coastal bathymetry (shallower coastline generates surges of greater heights).

In which direction of a storm the surge will appear?

The on shore wind gives rise to storm surge. Thus the forward right sector of a storm gives rise to storm surge.

What is storm tide?

The storm tide is the combination of storm surge and the astronomical tide

What is the interaction of astronomical tide with storm surge?

In general one may expect that if there is a storm surge of x metres and tidal wave of y metres then during high tide total surges would be x+y and during low tide x-y. But, it is found that there is an interaction of storm surge with astronomical tide, and during high tide time the total surge is little less than x+y and during low tide time it is little more than x-y.

What are the disaster potential of Storm Surge?

Disaster potential due to cyclones is due to high storm surges occurring at the time of landfall. The storm surges are by far the greatest killers in a cyclone. as sea water inundates low lying areas of the coastal regions causing heavy floods, erosion of beaches and embankments, damage to vegetation and reducing soil fertility. Flooding due to storm surges pollute drinking water sources resulting in shortage of drinking water and causing out-break of epidemics, mostly water borne diseases Very strong winds (Gales) may cause uprooting of trees, damage to dwellings, overhead installations, communication lines etc., resulting in loss of life and property. Past records show that very heavy loss of life due to tropical cyclones have occurred in the coastal areas surrounding the Bay of Bengal. Cyclones are also often accompanied by very intense & heavy precipitation (exceeding 40-50 cm in a day or about 10cm or more per hour in some places)

What is the vulnerability our coastline from the point of view of storm surge potential?

Entire Indian coast can be categorized into 4 zones

• Very high risk zones (Surge height > 5m)
• High risk Zone (Surge height between 3-5m)
• Moderate risk zone (Surge height between 1.5 to 3m)
• Minimal risk zone ( Surge height < 1.5m)

Accordingly

• The coastal areas and off-shore islands of Bengal and adjoining Bangladesh are the most storm-surge prone (~ 10-13m) – VHRZ
• East coast of India between Paradip and Balasore in Orissa (~ 5-7m) – VHRZ
• Andhra coast between Bapatla and Kakinada holding estuaries of two major rivers Krishna and Godavari (~ 5-7m) – VHRZ
• Tamilnadu coast between Pamban and Nagapattinam (~ 3-5m) – HRZ
• Gujarat along the west coast of India (~ 2-3m) -MRZ

Can we predict storm surge?

The storm surge is predicted by IMD using nomograms and dynemic model developed by IIT, Delhi. Both these models taken into consideration different characteristics, the cyclones and the coastal bathymetry to predict the storm surge.

Which tropical cyclone has produced the highest storm surge?

The Bathurst Bay Hurricane, also known as Tropical Cyclone Mahina, struck Bathurst Bay, Australia in 1899. It produced a 13 m (about 42 ft) surge, but other contemporary accounts place the surge at 14.6 m (almost 48 ft). Considering cyclones over north Indian Ocean, cyclone of 1970 has produced maximum storm surge of 13 metres in recent years. Some of the significant storm surges (metres) over the region are mentioned below.

Hooghly river (WB), October, 1737 : 13

Contai (WB), October, 1864 : 10-13

Bangladesh cyclone, November, 1970 : 13

Paradip, Orissa,October, 1971 : 4-5

Balasore Orissa, May, 1989 : 3-6

Orissa Super Cyclone, October, 1999 : 5-6

What is the damage potential of a deep depression (28 – 33 knots) and what are the suggested actions?

Structures: Minor damage to loose/ unsecured structures Communication & power:

Road/Rail: Some breaches in Kutcha road due to flooding

Agriculture: Minor damage to Banana trees and near coastal agriculture due to salt spray. Damage to ripe paddy crops

Marine Interests: Very rough seas. Sea waves about 4-6 m high.

Coastal Zone: Minor damage to Kutcha embankments

Overall Damage Category: Minor

Suggested Actions: Fishermen advised not to venture into sea

What is the damage potential of a cyclonic storm (34-47 knots or 62 to 87 kmph) and what are the suggested actions?

Structures: Damage to thatched huts

Communication and power: Minor damage to power and communication lines

due to breaking of tree branches.

Road/Rail: Major damage to Kutcha and minor damage to Pucca roads.

Agriculture: Some damage to paddy crops, Banana, Papaya trees and orchards.

Marine Interests: High to very high sea waves about 6-9 m high.

Coastal Zone: Sea water inundation in low lying areas after erosion of Kutcha embankments

Overall Damage Category: Minor to Moderate

Suggested Actions: Fishermen advised not to venture into sea

What is the damage potential of a severe cyclonic storm 48-63 Knots (88-117 Kmph) and what are the suggested actions?

Structures: Major damage to thatched houses / huts. Roof tops may blow off. Unattached metal sheets may fly.

Communication and power: Minor damage to power and communication lines.

Road/Rail: Major damage to Kutcha and some damage to Pucca roads. Flooding of escape routes.

Agriculture: Breaking of tree branches, uprooting of large avenue trees.

Moderate damage to Banana and Papaya trees: Large dead limbs blown from trees.

Marine Interests: Phenomenal seas with wave height 9-14 m. Movement in motor boats unsafe.

Coastal Zone: Major damage to coastal crops. Storm surge upto 1.5m (area specific) causing damage to embankments/ salt pans. Inundation upto 5 Km in specific areas.

Overall Damage Category: Moderate

Suggested Actions: Fishermen advised not to venture into sea. Coastal hutment dwellers advised to move to safer places. Other people in the affected areas to remain indoors.

What is the damage potential of a very severe cyclonic storm (64-90 Knots or 118-167 Kmph) and what are the suggested actions?

Structures: Total destruction of thatched houses/ extensive damage to Kutcha houses. Some damage to Pucca houses. Potential threat from flying objects.

Communication and power: Bending/ uprooting of power and communication poles.

Road/Rail: Major damage to Kutcha and Pucca roads. Flooding of escape routes. Minor disruption of railways, overhead power lines and signaling systems.

Agriculture: Widespread damage to standing crops plantations, orchards, falling of green coconuts and tearing of palm fronds Blowing down bushy trees like mango.

Marine Interests: Phenomenal seas with wave heights more than 14m. Visibility severely affected. Movement in motor boats and small ships unsafe.

Coastal Zone: Storm surge up to 2 m, Inundation up to 10 Km in specific areas. Small boats, country crafts may get detached from moorings.

Overall Damage Category: Large

Suggested Actions: Fishermen not to venture into sea. Evacuation from coastal areas needs to be mobilized. People advised to remain indoors. Judicious regulation of rail and road traffic needed.

What is the damage potential of a very severe cyclonic storm (91-119 Knots or 168-221 Kmph) and what are the suggested actions?

Structures: Extensive damage to all types Kutcha houses, some damage to old badly managed Pucca structures. Potential threat from flying objects.

Communication and power: Extensive uprooting of power and communication poles.

Road/Rail: Disruption of rail / road link at several places.

Agriculture: Extensive damage to standing crops plantations, orchards. Blowing down of Palm and Coconut trees. Uprooting of large bushy trees.

Marine Interests: Phenomenal seas with wave heights more than 14m. Movement in motor boats and small ships not advisable.

Coastal Zone: Storm surge up to 2 – 5 m, Inundation may extend up to 10-15 Km over specific areas. Large boats and ships may get torn from their moorings, country crafts may get detached from moorings

Overall Damage Category: Extensive

Suggested Actions: Fishermen not to venture into sea. Evacuation from coastal areas essential. Diversion / suspension of rail traffic may be required.

What is the damage potential of a super cyclonic storm 120 Knots (222 Kmph)& above? What are the suggested actions?

Structures: Extensive damage to non-concrete residential and industrial building. Structural damage to concrete structures. Air full of large projectiles.

Communication and power: Uprooting of power and communication poles. Total disruption of communication and power supply.

Road/Rail: Extensive damage to Kutcha roads and some damage to poorly repaired pucca roads. Large scale submerging of coastal roads due to flooding and sea water inundation. Total disruption of railway and road traffic due to major damages to bridges, signals and railway tracks. Washing away of rail / road links at several places.

Agriculture: Total destruction of standing crops / orchards, uprooting of large trees and blowing away of palm and coconut crowns, stripping of tree barks.

Marine Interests: Phenomenal seas with wave heights more than 14m. All shipping activity unsafe.

Coastal Zone: Extensive damage to port installations. Storm surge more than 5m, Inundation up to 40 Km in specific areas and extensive beach erosion. All ships torn from their moorings. Flooding of escape routes.

Overall Damage Category: Catastrophic

Suggested Actions: Fishermen not to venture into sea. Large scale evacuations needed. Total stoppage of rail and road traffic needed in vulnerable areas.

What is the normal movement of a Tropical Cyclone?

Tropical Cyclones move as a whole. They casually move west-northwestwards or northwestwards in the northern hemisphere. The average speed is 15-20 kmph (360-480 km per day). They may change their direction of movement towards north. During this change their speed of movement decreases to 10 kmph or even less. A larger fraction of such storms later turn towards northeast and move northeastwards very fast at a speed of 25 kmph or more.

What are fast and slow moving cyclones?

When the speed of movement is 10-14 kmph, it is called as slow moving cyclone. It is called as moderately moving cyclone, if the speed of movement is 15-25 kmph. If the speed of movement is more than 25 kmph, is called as fast moving cyclone.

How track prediction is done in IMD ?

Various Techniques are available for Track Prediction of the storm as mentioned below:

1. Methods based on climatology, persistence and both Climatology & Persistence (CLIPER)
2. Synoptic Techniques – Empirical Techniques
3. Satellite Techniques
4. Statistical Techniques using climatology, persistence and synoptic
5. Analogue Techniques
6. Numerical weather prediction models

The tracks of the cyclonic storms over north India ocean during 1891-2007 are shown below:

What are the numerical weather prediction models used operationally for Tropical Cyclone track Prediction and storm surges in IMD?

• T-254 model of NCMRWF, MM5 mesoscale model
• Quasi-Lagrangian Limited Area Model (QLM) for track prediction
• Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) mesoscale model for intensification and track prediction
• Prediction Models of IIT – Delhi and NIOT Chennai for Storm Surge rediction

In addition to above, IMD forecasters make use of various forecasts available from international NWP models like BCBCMRF, UKMET and COLA etc.

What is our accuracy of landfall prediction?

Probability of correct forecast decreases with increasing forecast validity period. Mean forecast errors for 12, 24, 48 and 72 hours are about 50, 140, 300 and 500 km respectively, which are comparable to corresponding figures of other centres like National Hurricane Centre, Miami, which monitor Atlantic Hurricanes; Typhoon Warning Centre, Tokyo, which monitors Typhoons of Northwest Pacific etc.

How does IMD predict intensity of the cyclone ?

Subjective techniques like Climatology, Synoptic and Satellite (Dvorak) techniques and radar techniques are used. Though the performance of NWP models in intensity prediction is not satisfactory, they provide valuable guidance in intensity prediction also.

What is the role of upper tropospheric westerly trough ?

An Upper tropospheric westerly trough is important for tropical cyclone forecasting as they can force large amounts of vertical wind shear over tropical disturbances and tropical cyclones which may inhibit their strengthening. There are also suggestions that these troughs can assist tropical cyclone genesis and intensification by providing additional forced ascent near the storm centre and/or by allowing for an efficient outflow channel in the upper troposphere. The location of this trough and its intensity can also influence the movement of the storm and hence can be used for cyclone track forecasting.

Why Tropical Cyclones weaken over land after landfall ?

After just a few hours, a tropical cyclone over land begins to weaken rapidly because the storm lacks the moisture and heat sources that the ocean provided. This depletion of moisture and heat hurts the tropical cyclone's ability to produce thunderstorms near the storm centre. Without this convection the cyclone cannot survive.

However, there are instances like Orissa super cyclone of October 1999, which maintained its intensity of cyclonic storm even 24 hours after landfall. During this period, it remained practically stationary over coastal Orissa.

Doesn't the friction over land kill tropical cyclones?

No, during landfall, the increased friction over land acts - somewhat contradictory - to both decrease the sustained winds and also to increase the gusts felt at the surface. The sustained winds are reduced because of the dampening effect of larger roughness over land (i.e. bushes, trees and houses over land versus a relatively smooth ocean). The gusts are stronger because turbulence increases and acts to bring faster winds down to the surface in short (a few seconds) bursts.

What are the abnormal characteristics associated with Tropical Cyclones?

Majority of Tropical Cyclones are associated with some sort of abnormal behavior such as

• Rapidly changing trends in motion and intensity
• Remaining quasi-stationary close to landfall
• Development or intensification close to a populated coastline
• Approaching a vulnerable coastline at an acute angle so that even minor forecast errors introduce large landfall uncertainties
• Threatening the coastal community during high pitch of seasonal activity such as harvesting, festivals, holidays etc.

Two examples of such cyclones are shown below.

What is the organizational set up in IMD for Cyclone forecasting and Warning?

The Cyclone Warning Organization in India has a 3-tier system to cater to the needs of the maritime States. These are : Cyclone Warning Division set up at IMD Head Quarters to co-ordinate and supervise cyclone warning operations in the country and to advise the Govt. at the apex level; Area Cyclone Warning Centres at Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata and Cyclone Warning Centres at Visakhapatnam, Ahmedabad and Bhubaneswar. The cyclone warning work is also supervised and coordinated by the Forecasting Division at Pune.

What are the different bulletins issued by IMD in connection with the cyclone?

1. Weather and Sea area bulletins.
2. Bulletins for Indian Navy.
3. Bulletins for Departmental Exchange.
4. Port Warnings
5. Fisheries warnings
6. Four Stage Warnings
7. Bulletins for AIR
8. Bulletins for Press
9. Coastal bulletins
10. Warnings to Designated/ Registered Officials
11. Aviation Warnings

What is 4-stage warning system for Tropical Cyclones?

Expectations of Disaster Managers are longer lead time and improved accuracy of landfall forecast. But the present state of art has limitations to make the above requirements go hand in hand. Lead time depends on the formation and duration of cyclone itself which may vary considerably from one cyclone to another. However, since pre-monsoon cyclone season of 1999, IMD introduced a 4-Stage warning system to issue cyclone warnings to the disaster managers. They are as follows:

(1) Pre-Cyclone Watch

Issued when a depression forms over the Bay of Bengal irrespective of its distance from the coast and is likely to affect Indian coast in future. The pre-cyclone watch is issued by the name of Director General of Meteorology and is issued at least 72 hours in advance of the commencement of adverse weather. It is issued at least once a day.

(2) Cyclone Alert

Issued atleast 48 hours before the commencement of the bad weather when the cyclone is located beyond 500 Km from the coast. It is issued every three hours.

(3) Cyclone Warning

Issued at least 24 hours before the commencement of the bad weather when the cyclone is located within 500 Km from the coast. Information about time /place of landfall are indicated in the bulletin. Confidence in estimation increases as the cyclone comes closer to the coast

(4) Post landfall outlook

It is issued 12 hours before the cyclone landfall, when the cyclone is located within 200 Km from the coast. More accurate & specific information about time /place of landfall and associated bad weather indicated in the bulletin. In addition, the interior distraction is likely to be affected due to the cyclone are warned in this bulletin.

How frequently IMD issues these bulletins?

When cyclone is beyond the range of coastal cyclone detection radar, (more than 400 km away from coast), cyclone warnings are issued 6 times a day to air stations and each warning is broadcast at frequent intervals interrupting routine programme. When the cyclone comes within radar range and tracked by radar, cyclone warnings are issued every hour to air stations. During cyclone period, concerned air stations keep round the clock watch for broadcasting cyclone warnings.

Is there any order in mentioning the disastrous weather in the bulletin?

A certain order depending upon the intensity and proximity of the system to the coast will be observed during cyclone period while indicating the adverse weather.

In case of a cyclone expected to strike the coast in

• About 12 hrs: tidal wave / gales / heavy rain fall
• Next 12-24 hrs: gales / tidal wave / heavy rain fall
• About 24 hrs: rain / gales / tidal wave

What is port warning?

The strong winds and high seas pose dangers to port. Moreover if a storm is at high seas the ships moving out of the port may fall into danger. Therefore the port is informed accordingly and advised to hoist signals which can he seen by mariners both during day and night. There are eleven such signals. The significant features of this warning are as follows.

• Port officers are warned about disturbed weather likely to affect their Ports by IMD.
• On receipt of warnings, Port officials hoist appropriate visual signals so that they are visible from a distance.
• Ports are warned 5 to 6 times a day during period of cyclonic storm.
• Warning contains information about location, intensity, expected direction, expected landfall point and type of signal the Port should hoist.
• Uniform system of storm warning signals introduced from 1st April 1898.

There are different types of signals for different ports as mentioned below.

1. GENERAL SYSTEM : General Ports (eleven signals)
2. EXTENDED SYSTEM: Extended Ports (Six section signals +

eleven signals)

3. BRIEF SYSTEM : Brief ports (III, IV, VII, X, XI signals)
4. MINOR PORTS : Special messages. No signals are

hoisted.

PORT WARNINGS

Signal/ Flag No.		NAME	Symbols		Description
			Day	Night
1.	Distant bad weather	DC1			Depression far at sea. Port NOT affected.
2.		DW2			Cyclone for at sea. Warning for vessels leaving port.
3.	Local bad weather	LC3			Port Threatened by local bad weather like squally winds.
4.
		LW4			Cyclone at sea. Likely to affect the port later.
5.	Danger	D5			Cyclone likely to cross coast keeping port to its left
6.
		D6			Cyclone likely to cross coast keeping port to its right.
7.
		D7			Cyclone likely to cross coast over/near to the port.
8.	Great danger	GD8			Severe cyclone to cross coast keeping port to its left
9.		GD9			Severe cyclone to cross coast keeping port to its right
10.		GD10			Severe cyclone to cross coast keeping port to its right.
11.		XI			Communication failed with cyclone warning office.

W

hat are fishermen warning?

A fisherman warning is warning message for fishermen who ply on coastal areas or may go out at sea. Dangers to fisherman due to storm are strong winds and associated high seas, due to which fishing boats may capsize. Hence, the fishermen are issued warning when one of the following conditions of weather is expected along and off any coast

1. Strong off-shore and on-shore winds (or with appropriate direction), speed exceeding 45 kmph
2. Squally weather – frequent squalls with rain; or persistent type of strong gusty winds (>20kts; 36kmph) accompanied by rain.
3. Gales and
4. State of sea very rough or above (wave heights are four metres or more).

The warnings are disseminated to fishermen through

1. Port
2. Fisheries officials and
3. AIR broadcast daily three / four times in local language. The warnings are broadcast as a routine four times a day (morning (0600 hrs), mid-day, evening (1800 hrs) and mid-night) from the air stations in the local language. During a cyclonic storm, such warnings are covered in the cyclone bulletins sent to the air stations at hourly or 3 hourly intervals for frequent broadcast. The fisheries warnings issued in mid-day are incorporated in the ‘general weather bulletin’ by forecasting offices in maritime states.

The fishermen warning contains information about

1. Synoptic situation
2. Signals hoisted and
3. Advice not to go out in to the sea.

What is sea area bulletin?

• Issued by ACWC for deep sea
• Normally twice a day (based on 03 and 12 UTC
• Thrice a day in case of depression/ deep depression (additional bulletin based on 18 UTC)
• Six times a day in case of a cyclone. There is also provision of special bulletin.
• The bulletin contains significant system, expected weather, wind, state of sea, port warning etc.

What is coastal weather bulletin?

• Issued by area cyclone warning centre/ cyclone warning centre for coastal shipping
• Normally twice a day (based on 03 and 12 UTC
• Issued based on sea area bulletin
• Thrice a day in case of depression/ deep depression (additional bulletin based on 18 UTC)
• Six times a day in case of a cyclone. There is also provision of special bulletin
• The bulletin contains significant system, expected weather, wind, state of sea, port warning etc

What is the meaning of widespread /fairly wide spread/scattered/isolated rainfall?

The rainfall distribution as mentioned in the bulletin are based on following classification

DISTRIBUTION	NO. OF PLACES	DESCRIPTION
Isolated	One or two places	<25% of area gets rainfall
Scattered	A few places	(26 –50)% of area gets rainfall
Fairly Widespread	A many places	(51 – 75)% of area gets rainfall
Wide Spread	Most place	(76 – 100)% of area gets rainfall

What do you mean by heavy rainfall, very heavy rainfall and extremely heavy rainfall ?

The intensity of rainfall mentioned in the bulletin is based on the following criteria:

Descriptive term used	Rainfall amount in mm
No rain	0.0
Very light rain	0.1- 2.4
Light rain	2.5 – 7.5
Moderate rain	7.6 – 35.5
Rather heavy	35.6 – 64.4
Heavy rain	64.5 – 124.4
Very heavy rain	124.5 – 244.4
Extremely heavy rain	>244.5
Exceptionally heavy rain	When the amount is a value near about highest recorded rainfall at or near the station for the month or season. However, this term will be used only when the actual rainfall amount exceeds 12 cm.

How does IMD mention state of sea in the bulletins?

This is mentioned subjectively in plain language like rough sea, very rough sea etc. based on the prevailing wind over the sea surface as mentioned below.

Descriptive Term	Height Metres	Wind Speed Knots (Kmph)	Inbeaufort Scale
CALM (GLASSY)	0	0	0
CALM (RIPPLED)	0 - 0.1	1 - 3 (2 - 6)	1
SMOOTH (WAVELESS)	0.1 - 0.5	4 - 10 (7 - 19)	2 - 3
SLIGHT	0.5 - 1.25	11 - 16 (20 - 30)	4
MODERATE	1.25 - 2.5	17 - 21 (31 - 39)	5
ROUGH	2.5 - 4.0	22 - 27 (41 - 50)	6
VERY ROUGH	4.0 - 6.0	28 - 33 (52 - 61)	7
HIGH	6.0 - 9.0	34 - 40 (63 - 74)	8
VERY HIGH	9.0 - 14.0	41 - 63 (76 - 117)	9 - 11
PHENOMENAL	OVER 14	64 OR ABOVE (119 OR ABOVE)	12

What is meaning of the reference time mentioned in the bulletin ?

The meaning of different reference times mentioned in the bulletin are given below.

• EARLY HOURS 0000 - 0400 HRS. IST
• MORNING 0400 - 0800 HRS. IST
• FORENOON 0800 - 1200 HRS. IST
• AFTERNOON 1200 - 1600 HRS. IST
• EVENING 1600 - 2000 HRS. IST
• NIGHT 2000 - 2400 HRS. IST
• EARLY MORNING 0400 - 0600 HRS. IST
• AROUNDNOON 1100 - 1300 HRS. IST)

How are Cyclone Warnings disseminated ?

The different telecommunication channels used are as follows

• Landline
• T/P (Internal)
• Telex
• Telephone
• Telefax
• VHF/HFRT (Internal)
• Cyclone Warning Dissemination System (CWDS)
• Police Wireless
• AFTN (Aviation)
• Internet (e-mail)
• Websites
• Radio/TV network
• Interactive voice response system (IVRS)
• Mobile Phones

However, the Telex is being phased out by Department of Telecommunications, Govt. of India.

What are the bulletins available in the website? What is the website address ?

There are two cyclone related bulletins issued by Cyclone Warning Division, IMD, New Delhi. These are as follows.

1. Bulletin for Indian coast
2. Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre (RSMC) bulletin

In, addition, the predicted track of the cyclone based on quasi-Lagrangian model (QLM) run by IMD. All these information/bulletins are available in the Cyclone Page of IMD’s Web site (www.imd.gov.in)

What is IVRS ? How does it work ?

IVRS stands for interactive voice response system. The requests for weather information and forecasts from the general public are automatically answered by this system. For this purpose, the person has to dial a toll-free Number “18001801717” from anywhere in the country. This system has been installed at 26 Meteorological Centres/ Regional Meteorological Centres. The data on maximum & minimum temperatures and Rainfall for a large number of towns/cities are provided. The local weather forecasts of cities and multi-hazard warnings including cyclone warnings are also provided.

What is Cyclone Warning Dissemination System (CWDS)?

This is a unique scheme not tried anywhere in the world. The scheme has been extremely successful during the cyclones for last 24 years and gained considerable confidence of the public of this country.

• Designed by ISRO and implemented by IMD in the mid-eighties, the CWDS is used all these years to disseminate cyclone warnings effectively.
• Selective addressing (Separate messages for each district) is done by transmitting a digital code followed by the actual warning message
• Cyclone warnings are generated in English and other local languages (Tamil, Telugu, Oriya, Bengali, Marathi, Gujarathi etc)
• Though Radio/TV broadcast are for one and all, the messages through CWDS can be accessed only at centres equipped with a receiver and addressed specifically for receiving the message
• CWDS is one-way communication system and will be complimentary to other systems of cyclone warning dissemination. Facility of acknowledgement is available in the upgraded (Digital) version of CWDS
• The present CWDS network covers 252 stations spread over coastal areas of maritime districts along the east and e west coast
• Through World Bank assistance Govt. of Andhra Pradesh had installed 100 Digital CWDS receivers along Andhra Coast. For this purpose a digital up-linking station also functions at Chennai.

Who are the recipients of Cyclone Warnings?

Warnings are issued for general public, fishermen, farmers and different categories of users such as central and state government officials responsible for disaster mitigation and relief, industrial and other establishments located in the coastal areas, ports, coastal shipping, railways, aviation, transport, communication and power authorities.

How a common man gets information about a cyclonic storm?

Local AIR broadcast hourly (or more frequently) bulletins in local language as well as in Hindi and English. The bulletins give the location of the Cyclonic storm, its direction of movement, place and time of landfall and details of adverse weather expected over the areas likely to be affected by the storm. AIR, New Delhi issues bulletins thrice in a day giving similar information. Apart from that, the cyclone warning messages are sent to the collectors of the districts likely to be affected and the chief secretary of concerned state. The state Govt. takes necessary steps to inform the local population through their machinery such as police wireless etc. They make necessary arrangement for evacuation from coastal area and for removal of the population to other places.

On the event of any doubt about approach of a cyclonic storm to whom a common man can approach to get authentic information (in absence of relevant AIR bulletins)?

Normally all collectors of coastal districts (subjected to adverse weather due to cyclonic storm) are intimated by sending warning messages through fax. They in turn inform junior officers under their control to take necessary action. These informations will be therefore available with the state Govt. officials. More over if any one is having phone facilities he may contact nearest cyclone warning centre/ Area cyclone warning centre or Cyclone Warning Division at IMD Head Quarters, New Delhi to get most authentic information about storms over Bay of Bengal. Also one can take advantage of IVRS system to get latest information.

How does IMD keep liaison with State officials?

Area Cyclone Warning Centres (ACWCs) and Cyclone Warning Centres (CWCs) maintain liaison with the concerned state Governments in state and district levels on cyclone related activities. The cyclone warning bulletins are communicated to the Chief Secretary, Revenue Secretary, Special Relief Commissioner, State control room, State Disaster Management Authority and concerned district collectors every three hourly. In addition, the Chief Secretary is personally briefed by Director, ACWC/CWC regularly. Before the cyclone season, ACWC/CWC organizes the precyclone preparedness meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary where all the high state Govt. officials from various departments participate.

What are the devastations which can not be protected by a common man and has to be mentally prepared to accept the loss?

Inundations caused by storm surge, uprooting of trees and damage caused by that, flooding of low lying areas due to heavy rain and damage to houses and communication due to very strong winds.

How to understand that the cyclonic storm has weakened/moved away?

With the approach of a storm squally weather commences. On the other land the storm weakens or goes away from the station the /weather gradually improves. The rainfall decreases. the wind speed weakens and gradually sky clears. However one should be very careful about the situation when the centre of the storm technically known as the "eye" of the storm passes through the station. The station will first experience very severe weather with approaching cyclone. When the eye of the storm passes over the station the weather becomes practically fair with light winds and little or no clouds at all. During night stars may he visible. But after a lapse of few minutes (say 10-15 minutes) very severe weather again commences. This time the wind blows from exactly the opposite direction. A sharp change from very severe weather to fair weather may be an indication that the eye of the storm is approaching the station.

What are the pre-cyclone/during the cyclone/post cyclone responsibilities of a common man?

1. Steps to be taken before the cyclone

1. Check houses, secure loose tiles by cementing wherever necessary, repair doors and windows.

2. Check the area around the house -remove dead or dying trees, anchor removable objects like lumber piles, loose bricks, garbage cans, sign-boards, loose zinc sheets etc.

3. Keep some wooden boards ready so that glass windows can be boarded.

4. Keep a hurricane Lantern filled with kerosene, flash light and enough dry cells.

5. Promptly demolish condemned buildings.

6. Those who have radio sets should ensure that the radio is fully serviceable in the case of transistors an extra set of batteries should be kept handy.

2. Steps to be taken during the cyclone.

1. Keep your radio on and listen to latest weather warnings and advisories from the nearest All India Radio station. Pass the information to others.

2. Avoid being misled by rumors. Pass only the. Official information you have got from the radio to others.

3. Get away from low lying beaches or other locations which may be swept by high tides or storm waves. Leave sufficiently early before your way to high ground gets flooded. Do not delay and run the risk of being marooned.

4. If your house is out of danger from high tides and flooding from the river, and it is well built, it is then probably the best place during weather and storm. However, please act promptly if asked to evacuate.

5. Be alert for high water in areas where streams of rivers may flood due to heavy rains.

6. Board up glass windows or put storm shutters in place. Use good wooden planks Securely fastened. Make-shift boarding may do more damage than none at all. Provide strong suitable support for outside doors.

7. If you do not have wooden boards handy paste paper strips on glasses to prevent splinters flying into the, house.

8. Get extra food, specially things which can be eaten without cooking or with very little preparation. Store extra drinking water in suitable covered vessel.
9. If you are in one of the evacuation areas, move your valuable articles to upper floors to minimise flood damage.

10. Have hurricane lantern, flash lights and/or other emergency light in working condition and keep them handy.

11. Check on everything that might blow away or be torn loose. Kerosene tins, cans, agricultural implements, garden tools, road signs and other objects become weapon of destruction in strong winds. Remove them and store them in a covered room.

12. Be Sure that a window or door can be opened on the lee side of the house i.e. the side opposite the one facing the wind.

13. Make provisions for children and adults requiring special diets.

14. If the centre of'‘eye' of the storm passes directly over your place, there will be a lull in the wind and rain, lasting for half an hour or more. During this period stay in safe place. Make emergency repairs during the lull period if necessary, but remember that strong wind will return suddenly from the opposite direction, frequently with even greater violence.

(xv) Be calm. Your ability to meet emergency will inspire and help others.

3. Steps to be taken after Cyclone.

1. They should remain in shelters until informed by those in charge that they may return home.

2. Any loose and dangling wire from the lamp post should be strictly avoided.

3. People should keep away from disaster areas unless they are required to assist.

4. Anti-social elements should be prevented from doing mischief and reported to the police.

5. Cars, buses lorries and carts should be driven carefully.

6. The houses and dwellings should be cleared of debris.

7. The losses should be reported to the appropriate authorities.

8. Relatives should be promptly informed about the safety of persons in the disaster area.

How IMD coordinates with National Disaster Management Division (NDM) of the Ministry of Home Affairs?

IMD has established linkages/institutional arrangements with disaster management agencies both at the centre and in the states. During normal weather conditions two bulletins are transmitted to Control Room of National Disaster Management Division (NDM). In a case of depression develops over north Indian Ocean which has the potential to affect Indian coast, special bulletins at-least three times a day are issued to NDM. When the system intensifies into a cyclonic storm, the cyclone warning bulletins are every three hourly. At present 4 stage warning procedure as discussed earlier is followed for issuing bulletins to NDM Control Room. When the system weakens or not going to affect Indian coast, a dewarning message is also issued to NDM Control Room. The cyclone warning bulletins are also passed on to State Government Authorities/District Collectors who are in constant touch with Cyclone Warning Centres. The centres and local committees consisting of various departments dealing with disaster management issues meet at the time of crisis and take necessary follow up actions.

What is the role of IMD Tropical Cyclone management of north Indian Ocean Rim countries?

A Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) has been established at IMD, New Delhi. It is one of the six such centres recognized by the WMO under a global system for monitoring tropical cyclones. As an international commitment, through the WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones, tropical cyclone advisories are issued by RSMC, New Delhi to the Panel Member countries during the tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea. The other ESCAP Panel countries are Thailand, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Oman.

What are the bulletins issued by RSMC, New Delhi?

RSMC New Delhi issues the following bulletins

• Tropical Weather Outlook for WMO/ESCAP Panel member countries
• Special Tropical Weather Outlook for WMO/ESCAP Panel member countries
• Tropical Cyclone Advisory for Panel member countries
• Tropical Cyclone Advisory for International Aviation

RSMC, New Delhi is also designated as Tropical Cyclone Advisory Centre (TCAC) and issues cyclone advisories for International Aviation as per the guidelines of ICAO. These advisories are issued every six hours based on observations at 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC.

What is UTC? How do I tell at what time a satellite picture was taken?

UTC stands for Universal Time Coordinated, what used to be called Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and Zulu Time (Z). This is the time at the Prime Meridian (0° Longitude) given in hours and minutes on a 24 hour clock. For example, 0000 UTC is 0530 hours IST. The Greenwich Royal Observatory at Greenwich, England (at 0° Longitude) was where naval chronometers (clocks) were set, a critical instrument for calculating longitude. This is why GMT became the standard for world time. Meteorologists have used UTC or GMT times for over a century to ensure that observations taken around the globe are taken simultaneously.

On most satellite pictures and radar images the time will be given as UTC, GMT, or Z time.

What is relation between kmph and knots (or m/s) ?

For winds:

1 mile per hour = 0.869 international nautical mile per hour (knot)

1 knot = 1.852 kilometers per hour

1 knot = 0.5144 meter per second

1 meter per second = 3.6 kilometers per hour

Why are tropical cyclones named?

Tropical cyclones are named to provide easy communication between forecasters and the general public regarding forecasts, watches, and warnings. Since the storms can often last a week or longer and that more than one can be occurring in the same basin at the same time, names can reduce the confusion about what storm is being described. The first use of a proper name for a tropical cyclone was by an Australian forecaster early in the 20th century. He gave tropical cyclone names "after political figures whom he disliked. By properly naming a hurricane, the weatherman could publicly describe a politician (who perhaps was not too generous with weather-bureau appropriations) as 'causing great distress' or 'wandering aimlessly about the Pacific.'" (Perhaps this should be brought back into use)

During World War II, tropical cyclones were informally given women's names by US Army Air Corp and Navy meteorologists (after their girlfriends or wives) who were monitoring and forecasting tropical cyclones over the Pacific. From 1950 to 1952, tropical cyclones of the North Atlantic Ocean were identified by the phonetic alphabet (Able-Baker-Charlie-etc.), but in 1953 the US Weather Bureau switched to women's names. In 1979, the WMO and the US National Weather Service (NWS) switched to a list of names that also included men's names.

The Northeast Pacific basin tropical cyclones were named using women's names starting in 1959 for storms near Hawaii and in 1960 for the remainder of the Northeast Pacific basin. In 1978, both men's and women's names were utilized.

The Northwest Pacific basin tropical cyclones were given women's names officially starting in 1945 and men's names were also included beginning in 1979. Beginning on 1 January 2000, tropical cyclones in the Northwest Pacific basin are being named from a new and very different list of names. The new names are Asian names and were contributed by all the nations and territories that are members of the WMO's Typhoon Committee. These newly selected names have two major differences from the rest of the world's tropical cyclone name rosters. One, the names by and large are not personal names. There are a few men's and women's names, but the majority are names of flowers, animals, birds, trees, or even foods, etc, while some are descriptive adjectives. Secondly, the names will not be allotted in alphabetical order, but are arranged by contributing nation with the countries being alphabetized.

The Southwest Indian Ocean tropical cyclones were first named during the 1960/1961 season.

The Australian and South Pacific region (east of 90E, south of the equator) started giving women's names to the storms in 1964 and both men's and women's names in 1974/1975.

The North Indian Ocean region tropical cyclones are being named since October 2004. The list of approved names of the cyclones over north Indian Ocean is given below:

List of approved names of tropical cyclones over the north Indian Ocean

WMO/ESCAP Panel Member contributing the names

Column one

Column two

Column three

Column four

Names

Pron’

Names

Pron’

Names

Pron’

Names

Pron’

B’desh

Onil

Onil

Ogni

Og-ni

Nisha

Ni-sha

Giri

Gi-ri

India

Agni

Ag’ni

Akash

Aakaa’sh

Bijli

Bij’li

Jal

Jal

Maldives

Hibaru

--

Gonu

--

Aila

--

Keila

--

Myanmar

Pyarr

Pyarr

Yemyin

Ye-myin

Phyan

Phyan

Thane

Thane

Oman

Baaz

Ba-az

Sidr

Sidr’

Ward

War’d

Murjan

Mur’jaan

Pakistan

Fanoos

Fanoos

Nargis

Nar gis

Laila

Lai la

Nilam

Ni lam

Sri Lanka

Mala

--

Rashmi

Rash’mi

Bandu

--

Mahasen

--

Thailand

Mukda

Muuk-dar

Khai Muk

Ki-muuk

Phet

Pet

Phailin

Pi-lin

Panel Member

Column five

Column six

Column seven

Column eight

Names

Pron’

Names

Pron’

Names

Pron’

Names

Pron’

B’desh

Helen

Helen

Chapala

Cho-po-la

Ockhi

Ok-khi

Fani

Foni

India

Lehar

Le’har

Megh

Me’gh

Sagar

Saa’gar

Vayu

Vaa’yu

Maldives

Madi

--

Roanu

--

Mekunu

--

Hikaa

--

Myanmar

Nanauk

Na-nauk

Kyant

Kyant

Daye

Da-ye

Kyarr

Kyarr

Oman

Hudhud

Hud’hud

Nada

N’nada

Luban

L’luban

Maha

M’maha

Pakistan

Nilofar

Ni lofar

Vardah

Var dah

Titli

Titli

Bulbul

Bul bul

Sri Lanka

Priya

--

Asiri

Aa’siri

Gigum

Gi’gum

Soba

--

Thailand

Komen

Goh-men

Mora

Moh-rar

Phethai

Pay-ti

Amphan

Um-pun

How can I nominate a new name for the list?

The names to be included in the list must meet some fundamental criteria. They should be short and readily understood when broadcast. Further the names must be culturally sensitive and not convey some unintended and potentially inflammatory meaning. Typically, over the historical record, about one storm each year causes so much death and destruction that its name is considered for retirement. The suggested name may be communicated to Director General of Meteorology, India Meteorological Department, Mausam Bhavan, Lodi Road, New Delhi-110003.

Can we tame a tropical Cyclone to reduce its damage potential?

Considering the huge energy potential of the Cyclones, all experiments in US under he Project “Storm Fury” to tame them have turned futile. The best solution is not to try to alter or destroy the tropical cyclones, but just learn to co-exist better with them. Since we know that coastal regions are vulnerable to the storms, enforce building codes that can have houses stand up to the force of the tropical cyclones. In this regard the Building Material Technology Promotion Council (BMTPC), Ministry of Uraban affairs has brought out a vulnerability map in consultation with IMD which is very useful for disaster mamagers.

What are the different methods tried to modified the cyclone?

1. Seeding with silver iodide.
2. Placing a substance on the ocean surface.
3. By nuking them.
4. By cooling the surface waters with deep ocean water.
5. By adding a water absorbing substance.

What are the future plans of IMD to strengthen the Cyclone warning setup?

• Strengthening of surface observational network with the state-of-the-art automatic weather stations (AWSs) models.
• A dense network of Satellite reporting rain gauges in the coastal region.
• Deployment of Wind Profilers and Cyclone Warning dissemination system.
• Increased S-Band Doppler Weather Radar network in the coastal region
• The up gradation of the computing facility in IMD that will place a computing platform capable of running high-resolution global and regional models. It will be used for development of models for better prediction of tropical cyclone track and intensity.
• Augmentation of Cyclone Warning Dissemination System (CWDS) with state-of-the-art Digital CWDS
• Supply of satellite radio receivers to fishermen to receive cyclone warnings.
• IMD through Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) is coordinating with different mobile service providers including MTNL & BSNL to work out the modalities of dissemination of disaster warning messages (Cyclone warnings) directly to the general public who live in vulnerable zones.

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Capturing CO2 from flue gas streams in ammonia plant, waste generation as HSS and its reclamation at CO2 recovery plant, NFCL, Andhra Pradesh (India)

November 15, 2015, 1:07 am

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Res. Environ. Life Sci., 4(1) 7 -12 (2011)

Capturing CO₂ from flue gas streams in ammonia plant, waste generation as HSS and its reclamation at CO₂ recovery plant, NFCL, Andhra Pradesh (India)

R. Raghavan, G.V.S Anand, P.H.N Reddy, P. Chandra Mohan, V. AppalaRaju* and  AmarNathGiri**

Quality & Environment Management System, NFCL, Nagarjuna Road, Kakinada - 533 003, India 

e-mail: *varaju@nagarjunagroup.com, **amarnathgiri@nagarjunagroup.com

(Received: October 24, 2010; Revised received: February 05, 2011; Accepted: February 08, 2011)

(Full length paper is available with author in PDF format)

Abstract:There are a number of different methods for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has concentrated its extensive research and development programs on the use of sterically hindered amines and the post combustion, chemical absorption process in particular for treating flue gasses from natural gas combustion. The CO₂ recovery plant consists of three main sections: the flue gas cooler, the absorber (for CO₂ recovery) and the stripper (for solvent regeneration). In NFCL Kakinada, the flue gas from primary reformer enters in the flue gas quencher, where it is cooled to 40°C. The flue gas is compressed to a pressure of 1.113 Ksca and enters in the CO₂ absorber. The CO₂ in flue gas is absorbed by KS-1 (Hindered amine) solvent, which is distributed from top through packed bed system. The CO₂ thus liberated is washed with DM water at the top of CO₂ regenerator, cooled to ambient temperature in an overhead condenser and sent to urea plants.  

Key words:Flue gas, Carbon dioxide recovery plant, Chemical absorption, Heat stable salts

 

Capturing CO₂from flue gas streams Ammonia Plant, waste generation as HSS and its Reclamation at CO₂ Recovery Plant, NFCL, Andhra Pradesh (India)

R. Raghavan, G.V.S Anand, P.H.N Reddy, P. Chandra Mohan, V. Appala Raju and  Amar Nath Giri

Quality & Environment Management System, NFCL, Nagarjuna Road, Kakinada - Kakinada - 533 003, India 
e-mail: varaju@nagarjunagroup.com, amarnathgiri@nagarjunagroup.com

Abstract: There are a number of different methods for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has concentrated its extensive research and development programs on the use of sterically hindered amines and the post combustion, chemical absorption process in particular for treating flue gasses from natural gas combustion. The CO₂ recovery plant consists of three main sections: the flue gas cooler, the absorber (for CO₂recovery) and the stripper (for solvent regeneration). In NFCL Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, India the Flue Gas from Primary Reformer enters the Flue Gas Quencher, where it is cooled to 40°C. The Flue Gas is compressed to a pressure of 1.113 Ksca and enters the CO₂ Absorber. The CO₂ in Flue Gas is absorbed by KS-1 (Hindered Amine) Solvent, which is distributed from top through packed bed system. The CO₂ thus liberated is washed with DM water at the top of CO₂ Regenerator, cooled to ambient temperature in an overhead condenser and sent to Urea Plants. 

KEY WORDS: Flue gas, carbon dioxide recovery plant, chemical absorption, Heat Stable salts,

Introduction:

As Wong and Bioletti (1999), the emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the burning of fossil fuels has been identified as the major contributor to global warming and climate change. However, for the immediate term over the next 20 – 30 years at least, the world will continue to rely on fossil fuels as the source of primary energy. The challenge for the fossil fuel industry is to find cost-effective solutions that will reduce the release of CO₂ into the atmosphere. Reduction of anthropogenic CO₂ emissions into the atmosphere can be achieved by a variety of means, which has been summarized by Professor Yoichi Kaya of the University of Tokyo and can be expressed as: Where CO₂   the total released to the atmosphere, POP is population, GDP (Gross Domestic Product) /POP ( population) is per capita gross domestic product and is a measure of the standard of living, BTU/GDP is energy consumption per unit of GDP and is a measure of energy intensity, CO₂^⇑⇑/BTU is the amount of CO₂ released per unit of energy consumed and is a measure of carbon intensity, and CO₂^⇓is the amount of CO₂ stored/sequestered in biosphere and geosphere sinks.

Of the first two measures, reducing the population or the standard of living is not likely to be considered. Consequently, only the three remaining methods can be employed (i.e. reducing energy intensity, reducing carbon intensity and carbon storage). Mimura et. al., (2001) describe their recent work in solvent composition. They have developed a series of amine solvents designated as KS-1, KS-2, and KS-3 as improved Hindered Amine) The composition of these solvents is propriety. The KS-1 solvent has been commercialized in Malaysia where a flue gas containing 8 vol. % CO₂ is being treated with 90% CO₂ recovery. Corrosion problems were reported to be negligible using this solvent and also that solvent degradation during prolonged operation was slight. They indicated that amine consumption was about 2.0 kg/ton CO₂ recovered using a MEA process while for the Malaysia plant using KS-1, solvent loss was 0.35 kg/ton CO₂ recovered. With improved solvents currently in the pilot phase, they indicate that solvent loss may be further reduced to ~0.1 kg/ton CO₂ recovered. Steam consumption was 1.5 ton of low-pressure steam per ton CO₂ recovered. It is claimed that K-3 is better than K-1 and K-2 in terms of energy consumption for solvent regeneration. A pilot plant test using KS-3 under coal fired boiler flue gas containing 14-vol% CO₂ (dry basis) and 50 ppm SO_x showed a CO₂ recovery of 90% (Mimura et al., 1999), and sodium hydroxide was believed to be used in the solvent regeneration by converting the heat-stable salt due to reaction of SO_x with the amine to free amine and Na₂SO₃. The Canadian group has also developed a series of proprietary designer solvents designated as PSR solvents (Veawab et al., 2001). The PSR solvents have been designed to specifically for the separation of CO₂ from flue gas streams. The PSR solvents may be used at higher amine concentration than conventional MEA solvents and at a higher loading of CO₂. The key features claimed for the PSR solvents are lower regeneration temperature, lower solvent circulation rate, lower solvent degeneration rate, and lower corrosion rate. 

Materials and Methods:

CO₂ capture Process in CDR plant: The flue gas is from a natural gas fired application an FGD may not be required as the SO₂content in the gas stream is minimal. Therefore, depending on the fuel type, a Deep FGD process may or may not be necessary. The primary objective of the Flue Gas Water Cooler (FGWC) is to further cool the flue gas prior to entering the CO₂ absorber. The lower flue gas temperature increases the efficiency of the exothermic CO₂ absorption reaction and minimizes KS-1(TM) solvent loss due to gas phase equilibrium increases. The optimum temperature range for CO₂recovery is between 95-113°F (35-45°C), however this is flexible in consideration of other factors such as water utility requirements and availability. The FGWC is designed and constructed to not only to cool the flue gas, but to also further remove various impurities such as SOx, NOx, dust and suspended particulate matter (SPM).Clean-burning, natural gas typically has low concentrations of CO₂and impurities. The CO₂Absorber has two main sections, the CO₂absorption section (bottom section), and the treated flue gas washing section (top section). The conditioned flue gas from the FGWC flows upward through structured, stainless steel packing material while the CO2 lean KS-1 solvent is distributed evenly from the top of the absorption section onto the packing material. The flue gas comes into direct contact with the KS-1(TM) solvent and CO₂ in the flue gas is absorbed. The CO₂ rich KS-1(TM) solvent (rich solvent) is pumped to the CO2 Regeneration unit for steam stripping. The clean flue gas then moves up into the treated flue gas washing section of the absorber. This section is where vaporized KS-1 solvent is removed and recycled and the flue gas is again cooled to maintain water balance within the system (the absorption of CO₂ in the KS-1 solvent produces some rise in temperature). The clean flue gas then exits the top section of the CO₂Absorber. The rich solvent is pre-heated in a heat exchanger using heat from the hot lean solvent coming from the bottom of the CO₂Stripper. The heated rich solvent is then introduced into the upper section of the CO₂Stripper, where it will come into contact with stripping steam of around 248°F (120°C). The rich solvent is then stripped of its CO2 content and is converted back into lean solvent. The high purity CO₂(>99.9%) exits the top of the stripper vessel and is compressed and dehydrated, prior to transportation. Once stripped, the now lean solvent is cooled to the optimum reaction temperature of approximately 104°F (40°C) before being reintroduced to the top of the absorption section of the CO₂ Absorberunit.

CDR Plant Opted at NFCL (Technology Supplier: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), Japan.CO₂ Absorbent: KS-1 Solution, Proprietary Supply from MHI, Japan): The Flue Gas from Primary Reformer enters the Flue Gas Quencher, where it is cooled to 40°C. The Flue Gas is compressed to a pressure of 1.113 Ksca and enters the CO₂ Absorber. The CO₂ in Flue Gas is absorbed by KS-1 Solvent, which is distributed from top through packed bed system. Subsequent to contact with KS-1 Solution the Flue Gas is further washed with DM Water in the top section of CO2 Absorber. The Flue Gas after removal of CO₂ is sent out to atmosphere through a stack provided at CO₂Absorber top. The CO₂ rich solution at 55°C is pumped to the Lean / Rich Heat Exchanger. The Lean Solution is recycled back to CO₂ Absorber. The rich solution stream is heated up to 114 °C and sent to CO₂ Regenerator, wherein CO₂ is stripped off from rich solution by providing necessary heat to Reboiler using Low Pressure Steam. The CO₂ thus liberated is washed with DM water at the top of CO₂ Regenerator, cooled to ambient temperature in a overhead condenser and sent to Urea Plants. In view of adequate Natural Gas supply to NFCL by RIL, it was decided to switchover Unit-II operations to full NG mode from the present operation of mixed Feed / Fuel (NG + Naphtha). Subsequent to switchover from Naphtha / NG Mix to full Natural Gas mode in Unit-II, there will be shortfall of CO₂ which will be met through the CO₂ Production from CDR Plant.

The Power & Steam demand required for CDR Plant is met through the existing offsite facilities. The flue gas having about 8 to 9% CO₂ by volume is drawn from Primary Reformer stack and cooled to 45°C or below in a Direct Contact Cooler. It is then fed at the bottom of an absorber through a blower. The absorber is a packed tower. A solvent mainly KS1 is fed on the top of the absorber. The solvent and rising flue gas come in contact on the bed. The solvent absorbs CO₂ from the flue gas and balance flue gas devoid of CO₂ is vented from the top of the absorber after washing. The solvent after absorption of CO₂ becomes rich and collected at the bottom of the absorber. The rich solution is pumped to the top of a regenerator after heat exchange where heat of regeneration is supplied through a re-boiler. On heating, the solution liberates absorbed CO₂ and solution gets regenerated for further absorption. The CO₂ is collected from the top of the regenerator and sent to Urea plant through a booster compressor for further conversion to Urea. 
In this process some heat stable salts are generated due to minor decomposition of the solvent which is separated in a reclaimer and disposed off.

Solvent (KS1 Solution) using for Recovery in CDR plant & its Environmental consequences: These factors contribute to the use of large equipment, high solvent consumption and large energy losses - leading to increased operating costs. During its comprehensive R & D phases, MHI tested more than 130 different reagents. The most efficient solvents were critically examined in the final stage of pilot plant testing. Following this, a proprietary solvent KS- 1(TM) was developed. In parallel with the development of the solvent, the process itself has also been optimized, leading to superior, demonstrated performance of CO₂ recovery from the flue gases of fossil fuel combustion processes. The development of KS-1(TM) is seen as a breakthrough because of the significant number of advantages it offers. KS-1(TM) has an exceptionally low corrosive nature and, unlike MEA, does not require a corrosion inhibitor. This factor means carbon steel can be used for the majority of construction within the CO₂ capture plant. Furthermore, the process operates at atmospheric pressure (ensuring a safe work environment), has few exotic materials and a simple configuration. Additionally KS-1(TM) offers superior CO₂ absorption and regeneration, lower degradation, lower circulation rate and, with other patented equipment, has less solvent loss when compared to other amine based systems. All of these features lead to decreased operating cost. Importantly, KS-1(TM) together with the patented "improved"CO₂ recovery process which utilizes the heat of the lean KS-1(TM) solvent, effects a 30% reduction in steam consumption over the conventional MEA process. 

HSS (Heat Stable Salt):Heat Stable Salts (HSS) have received a lot of attention in the industry. HSS are acid anions with a stronger acid strength than the acid gases that are removed from the process gas. These anions may bind to the usable amine and then therefore make it unavailable for acid gas absorption. Heat Stable Amine Salts (HSAS) refers to the salt formed by a HSS (anion) and a protonated amine molecule (cation). HSAS may also be referred to in some instances as Bound Amine (BA) 

HSS vs. HSAS: There has been much confusion about the terminology of HSS versus HSAS. It is important to understand that these HSS anions must be bound to a cation in solution so that the solution is balanced (Mother Nature’s Rule). One must understand what cation forms a salt with the HSS anion to understand the disposition of the anions and their quantity in solution. As referred to earlier, the sum of cations in solution must equal the amount of anions in solution. 

Σ Cations = Σ Anions 
BA + SC = HSS + LL 
BA = Bound Amine (Protonated Amine Molecule) 
SC = Strong Cations (Sodium or Potassium) 
HSS = Heat Stable Salt Anions 
LL= Residual Lean Loading (H2S or CO2)

From the above equation we can see that HSS will not equal the Bound Amine (HSAS) if there is a substantial amount of Strong Cations present in the amine solution. This is why we recommend that the total level of HSS anions and Strong Cations should be measured directly. Measuring the HSAS only may give a false low reading of the level of HSS anions in solution if Strong Cations are also present in the sample.

It is also important to understand that HSS anions may be reported at least three different ways, and it is important to understand the methodology employed to avoid confusion.

1. Weight Percent of Solution HSS Anions (Strong Acid Anions) measured as weight percent of the total solution. 
2. As Weight Percent Amine This unit of measurement assumes that the HSS anions are bound to an amine cation (also reported as HSAS, Heat Stable Amine Salt). This number is determined by calculating the equivalent amount of amine cations that are tied up with the HSS anion, and is expressed as weight percent of the total solution. 
3. As Percent Amine Capacity (As Percent Total Amine) HSS expressed as weight percent amine divided by the amine strength (Free Amine or Alkalinity). 

Determination and analysis Procedure of Heat Stable salts:

Method: This method is intended to be used to determine the quantity of heal stable salts present in used aqueous amine solutions.A weighed sample of solvent is passed through (or equivalent) a column of DOWEX* 50W-X8, 50-100 mesh hydrogen form resin. The anions present are converted to the corresponding acids, and the solvent is retained or. the resin. The effluent containing the acid is then titrated, potentiomctricully, with a standard base.

Apparatus: pH meter, with a combination pH electrode, Glass column, ID 16mm x 610mm^L, or 100ml ion exchange column, Stand for ion exchange column, Magnetic stirrer with heater, Thermometer (0—100°C), Beaker, Capacity 200ml, 500ml, 31, Automatic titrator, Plastics funnel, Electric balance, graduated at lmg         
Reagents 
(1) 0.IN NaOH solution Dissolve 4~4.5g of NaOH in \ liter of water. Make standardization as follows.

·   Weigh 0.2~0.25g of sulfamic acid and dissolve the acid in 50ml of water. 

·   Add 3 drops of Bromothymol blue (BTB) solution and titrate the solution until the color of solution turns blue. 

·   Normality of 0.1N NaOH solution is calculated as follows. 

                                N=   SF/ 97.09 X   10³ /V

                     
Where, N: normality of 0.1N NaOH solution (eq/1) SF: weight to taken sulfamic acid (g) V: 0.1N NaOH solution consumed; in titration (ml) 

(2) 0.1% Bromothymol blue (BTB) indicator Dissolve 0.l g of BTB in 20ml of ethyl alcohol. Then, dilute to 100 ml with water. 

(3) Hydrochloric acid (5 or 10%)

(4) Cation exchange resin (Hydrogen form)

(5) pH paper, range to include 6~8. 

Procedure: 

1) Fill the glass column with enough wet resin to completely neutralize the solvent and exchange the anions present. (Approximately 2 ml of resin per meq. of solvent.) 

2)  Pass 100ml of 10% HCl through the resin and rinse with deionized water until the effluent is neutral to pH paper.

3) Combine 5~10 grams of sample plus or minus one milligram, 50ml of resin and 50 ml of deionized water. 

4) Heat to at least 71°C   for 30minutes.

5) Add another 50 ml of resin to column. 

6) Pour entire solution (Including resin) into resin column and follow with deionized water until the liquid eluting from the column is neutral to pH water.

7) Combine the rinse water, the eluted sample, and titrate potentiometrically with 0.1 N sodium hydroxide solutions with automatic titrator. 

8) From the titration curve obtained, determine the greatest point of inflection and consider this to be the end point, that is, the number of milliliters required for complete titration of the system. 

9) Make the blank test over the whole procedure and correct the result. 

Calculation 
From the quantity of 0.1   N NaOH solution consumed in the titration, the acidity and the concentration of heat stable salts can be calculated as follows.

(1) Acidity

A =  (a-b)xN 
           W₅ 
Where,  A  : acidity in sample (eq/kg) 
a: 0.1 N NaOH solution consumed in titration in sample test (nil)

b: 0.1 N NaOH solution consumed in titration in blank test (m )

W_s: weight of sample taken (g)

N: normality of 0.1 N NaOH solution (eq/1)

(2) Heat stable salts (HSS) concentration HSS (eq/kg) = A 
Remarks 
1) If the solution contains carbonates and/or sulfides, in addition to the free acid gases present, voids can form in the column from release of the CO₂ and H₂S, and subsequent channeling will occur. By slurring the sample in a beaker with an additional quantity of resin, until the mixture is acid, the gases will be evolved. The mixture can then be poured over the resin in the column and the determination followed in the normal fashion. 
2) Before the titration is made, it is advantageous to boil the effluent sample, with vigorous stirring, for a few minutes. This will allow any dissolved acid gases to escape which would buffer the titration. The acids formed from the ion exchange are not affected by this boiling. 
3) Quantitative analysis for many of the anions found in solvent systems can be made on the titrated effluent, as interference from the solvent and ether cations have been removed by absorption on the resin. 
4) After the resin has been in contact with a 1 N (or stronger) hydrochloric acid solution for a sufficient length of time, it will attain an equilibrium exchange capacity of about 1 meq/ml of wet resin. In order to avoid column breakthrough, never exchange more than half the original capacity of the resin. Thus, it is best to provide initially a 100% excess of resin capacity over and above the quantity thought to be necessary. 

Results:

Analysis items and frequency are shown below. The analysis item and / or frequency may be increased depending upon the requirement in an operating facility.   
IRON & HSS Analysis report as Monthly Average it its trend of growth 

	KS1 solution ( After Correction of the data)
May 2009-Jan.2011	Iron (ppm)	HSS (%) Analysis Result is this
May, 09	1.1	0.1
June, 09	3.2	0.3
July, 09	4.7	0.5
August, 09	5.5	0.6
September, 09	6.2	1.0
October, 09	6.2	1.2
November, 09	7.8	1.5
December, 09	8.5	2.1
January, 10	8.6	2.5
February, 10	13.5	2.7
March, 10	13.9	2.7
April, 10	16.45	3
May, 10	15.8	1.8
June, 10	14.0	1.4
July, 10	15.2	1.0
August, 10	12.5	0.9
September, 10	10.5	0.8
October, 10	7.0	0.6
November, 10	9.0	0.8
December, 10	19.5	1.15
January, 10	14	0.9

Discussion:

Several researches have been found and develop Solvent to absorb CO2 which should be cost effective & Economically Viable as per Mimura et., al (2004) [1] they have developed and observed the alternative of KS1 Solvent as KS2: The most important issue involved with the chemical absorption method for recovering carbon dioxide from a power plant's flue gas is to develop energy-efficient absorbents. KS-1 absorbent was presented at ICCDR-2 in Kyoto. After the conference, efforts to develop energy-efficient absorbents have been made and a new absorbent KS-2 was developed as a result and its performance confirmed by the pilot plant. KS-2 has similar energy efficiency as KS-1 both of which require 20% less energy than MEA. KS-2 is however more stable than KS-1 and a more efficient absorbent for low CO₂ content flue gas. MHI has published papers on the performance of its KS-1 solvent in the Petronas Fertilizer Co. CO₂ capture plant in Malaysia. This is the only commercial installation of KS-1. Using this data, the performance of the EFG Plus ^SM technology can be compared to KS-1.  The recovery of carbon dioxide from the rich amine stream from the absorber is highly energy intensive. It requires substantial quantities of low pressure steam extraction from the power plant turbine cycle and high power usage for compressing large volumes of flue gas to overcome absorber pressure loss. This results in a significant export power loss. Technology developers have therefore concentrated on developing new generations of technology which minimize steam consumption, by ensuring that a high degree of thermal integration is achieved in the process and/or by using amines with lower stripping steam requirements, either with improved formulations (Fluor), or improved amines (MHI with their KS1, 2 and 3 series of amines which have a much lower specific stripping heat requirement than MEA). Fluor has developed an improved process called Econamine FG Plus^SM. Which lowers the energy consumption of the process (Reddy et.al., 2003). 

There is considerable industrial experience with MEA and most systems at present use an aqueous solution with only 15-25-wt% MEA, mainly due to corrosion issues. Corrosion inhibitors may be added to MEA solution, and these results in an increase in solution strength. In a commercial process, concentration of MEA up to 30-wt% have been employed successfully to remove 80% - 90% of the carbon dioxide from the feed gas (Mariz, 1998). The process has been used to treat flue gas, however, some cooling and compression of the gas is required to operate the system. The solvent composition is proprietary, so royalty costs may be significant. Another commercial process, which uses 20% MEA with inhibitors, is also offered for flue gas treatment (Barchas, 1992).

1.It should be avoided to continue CDR plant operation without reclaiming under the condition that iron concentration is 11ppm. in the case that CDR plant continues to operate under the condition that iron concentration is over 5ppm, CDR plant has a great risk of corrosion. The allowable limit of iron concentration for starting reclaiming shall be 5ppm. 

2.Situation regarding the increase of iron concentration, which was happened at IFFCO Phulpur, is described below: 
In 2007, iron concentration in KS-1 solution increased up to 32ppm.-MHI inspected inside after CDR plant S/D, and then found that heavy corrosion occurred at the duct between stack and Quencher. Quencher, Absorber and Regenerator had no corrosion. -After investigation into CDR plant operation, it was found that CDR plant S/D without drying operation caused this heavy corrosion, resulting in entrainment of iron dust to KS-1 solution. So, iron concentration in KS1 solution increased. Drying operation is necessary after CDR plant S/D for the purpose of preventing CDR plant corrosion.-MHI recommended duct coating against entrainment of iron dust, and drying operation after CDR plant S/D.The increase of iron concentration in KS1 solution had stopped since duct coating was conducted. 

3.MHI designs that reclaiming shall be started when HSS concentration reaches to 2wt%, and then stopped when it comes down to 0.7wt%. In NFCL case, HSS concentration in KS1 solution is expected to increase as following figure based on the design basis of the flue gas. 1st reclaiming should be therefore conducted after approximately 2.5 months passed from CDR plant S/U. Next reclaiming should be done when approximately 1.5 months passed after 1st reclaiming has been finished.  

In NFCL the formation of HSS in CDR plant shows exponential growth from starting to till 05-05-10 ---3.3 (%)/ 2.9 (%) & the Iron Content was also very high around 18 ppm after then due to alkanomisation / Reclamation the HSS quantity has been decreased  1.0%  (21.08.10)  now it is gradually  Decreasing due to reclamation now it has been 0.9% and the IRON content is around an around  14 ppm as per the Norms Of Mitsubishi KM it should be below 0.7 % the query is if  continuously analysis by Quality Control why it has not been reduced of Both the HSS formation & Iron. As per my opinion it should be less than 1% ( We have to maintain) & the Iron Content is also should be below 11 PPM for the best performance of the CDR plant then we can increase the ATA -in 2011 May. We are daily adding I Drum of KS1 solution around 200 litre & Additives to make efficient the chemical properties of KS 1 Solution to absorb 2 molecule of CO₂by one molecule of KS1 & to maintain the passivation layer to reduce the Corrosion of  the equipment

Acknowledgement: We are highly thankful to Production , process , Environment & Quality Laboratory  associates of NFCL  and for their consistently support  while Preparation of the Environment & Quality paper.

Reference: 

Barman, S.C., G.C. Kisku, P.R. SaiveD. Misra, R.K. Sahu, P.W. Ramtake and S.K. Bhargava: Assessment of industrial effluent and its impact on soil and plants. J. Environ. Biol., 22: 251-256 (2001).

Barchas, R., and Davis, R., : “The Kerr-McGee/ABB Lummus Crest Technology for the Recovery of CO₂ from Stack Gases”, Energy Convers. Mgmt., Vol. 33, No. 5-8, pp 333-340, 1992. 

Mariz, C.L. (1998), “Carbon Dioxide Recovery: Large Scale Design Trends”, Journal of Canadian Petroleum Technology, Vol. 37, 7, July 1998. 

Mimura, T., Simayoshi, H., Suda, T., Masaki Iijima and Sigeaki Mituoka: Development of energy saving technology for fluegas carbon dioxide recovery in power plant by chemical absorption method and steam system.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science (2004). 

Mimura, T., Matsumoto, K., Iijima, M. & Mitsuoka, S., Fifth : Development and application of flue gas carbon dioxide recovery technology, Proceedings of International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies, Cairns, Australia, August 13-16, 2000, Published by CSIRO publishing, Collingwood, Victoria, Australia.

Reddy, S., Scherffius, J., Freguia, J., Roberts, C.A., Fluor EFG+^SM Technology, An enhanced Amine Based CO₂ Capture Process, Original paper presented at Second National Conference On Carbon Sequestration, NETL.DOE, Alexandria VA May 5-8, 2003. 

Veawab, A., Aroonwilas, A., Chakma, A. and Tontiwachwuthikul, P.,: “Solvent Formulation for CO₂ Separation from Flue Gas Streams”. First National Conference on Carbon Sequestration, Washington, DC, May 15-17, 2001.

Wong, S., Gunter, W.D., and Bachu, S.,:  “Geological Storage of CO₂: Options for Alberta”, Combustion and Global Climate Change Conference, Calgary, Alberta, May 26-28, 1999. 

Weather Report and Forecast For: Kakinada Dated :Nov 15, 2015

November 15, 2015, 8:52 am

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Weather Report and Forecast For: Kakinada    Dated :Nov 15, 2015

	Past 24 Hours Weather Data Maximum Temp(oC) 30.9 Departure from Normal(oC) 1 Minimum Temp (oC) 21.6 Departure from Normal(oC) -1 24 Hours Rainfall (mm) NIL Todays Sunset (IST) 17:26 Tommorows Sunrise (IST) 06:06 Moonset (IST) 20:33 Moonrise (IST) 08:56
Today's Forecast:Sky condition would be partly cloudy. Rain/thundershowers would occur.Maximum & Minimum temperatures would be around 31 and 22 deg.cel respectively.
Date Temperature ( o C ) Weather Forecast Minimum Maximum 16-Nov 22.0 31.0 Mainly or Generally cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 17-Nov 22.0 31.0 Mainly or Generally cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 18-Nov 23.0 31.0 Mainly or Generally cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 19-Nov 23.0 31.0 Partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 20-Nov 23.0 32.0 Partly cloudy sky with Thundery development 21-Nov 23.0 32.0 Partly cloudy sky with Thundery development

 INDIA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT 
                                    NWP MODELS BASED DISTRICT LEVEL WEATHER PREDICTION          
                                               ISSUED ON:  15-11-2015
                                        VALID TILL 08:30 IST  OF THE NEXT 5 DAYS

 DISTRICT :  EAST-GODAVARI                                                  STATE :  ANDRA-PRADESH    
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
    PARAMETERS                                            ENSEMBLE FCST   
                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              DAY-1               DAY-2               DAY-3               DAY-4               DAY-5
                              16/11               17/11               18/11               19/11               20/11
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Rainfall (mm)                   0                  10                  13                   6                   0
Max Temperature ( deg C)       29                  27                  23                  25                  29
Min Temperature ( deg C)       15                  16                  18                  17                  14
Total cloud cover (octa)        8                   8                   8                   8                   6
Max Relative Humidity (%)      79                  85                  87                  90                  78
Min Relative Humidity (%)      47                  54                  79                  66                  49
Wind speed (kmph)             008                 009                 015                 008                 007
Wind direction (deg)           63                  64                 125                 101                  98
------------------ ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------

• Sunday 11/15
  31°|24°
  Mostly Cloudy
  10% / 0 mm
• Monday 11/16
  30°|22°
  Chance of Rain
  60% / 10 mm
• Tuesday 11/17
  27°|22°
  Rain
  70% / 29 mm
• Wednesday 11/18
  27°|23°
  Chance of Rain
  50% / 10 mm
• Thursday 11/19
  29°|23°
  Chance of Rain
  40% / 3 mm
• Friday 11/20
  30°|22°
  Partly Cloudy
  20% / 0 mm

Sunday, November 15, 2015

	Actual	Average	Record
Temperature
Mean Temperature	26 °C	-
Max Temperature	31 °C	-	- ()
Min Temperature	21 °C	-	- ()
Cooling Degree Days	14
Growing Degree Days	29 (Base 50)
Moisture
Dew Point	22 °C
Average Humidity	70
Maximum Humidity	87
Minimum Humidity	57
Precipitation
Precipitation	0.0 mm	-	- ()
Sea Level Pressure
Sea Level Pressure	1010.57 hPa
Wind
Wind Speed	2 km/h ()
Max Wind Speed	6 km/h
Max Gust Speed	-
Visibility	7.4 kilometers
Events

T = Trace of Precipitation, MM = Missing Value

Source: Averaged Metar Reports

Daily Weather History Graph

Month of November, 2015

	Max	Avg	Min	Sum
Temperature
Max Temperature	32 °C	31 °C	29 °C
Mean Temperature	28 °C	27 °C	25 °C
Min Temperature	26 °C	23 °C	20 °C
Degree Days
Heating Degree Days (base 65)	0	0	0	0
Cooling Degree Days (base 65)	18	16	13	235
Growing Degree Days (base 50)	33	31	28	458
Dew Point
Dew Point	26 °C	23 °C	11 °C
Precipitation
Precipitation	3.0 mm	0.2 mm	0.0 mm	3.40 mm
Snowdepth	-	-	-	-
Wind
Wind	15 km/h	3 km/h	0 km/h
Gust Wind	-	-	-
Sea Level Pressure
Sea Level Pressure	1015 hPa	1012 hPa	1008 hPa

Monthly Weather History Graph

WORK IS WORSHIP

November 15, 2015, 9:29 am

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WORK IS WORSHIP

The Role of Culture in Moral Development

 WORK IS WORSHIP

The highest man cannot work, for there is no binding element, no attachment, no ignorance in him. A ship is said to have passed over a mountain of magnet ore, and all the bolts and bars were drawn out, and it went to pieces. It is in ignorance that struggle remains, because we are all really atheists. Real theists cannot work. We are atheists more or less. We do not see God or believe in Him. He is G-O-D to us, and nothing more. There are moments when we think He is near, but then we fall down again. When you see Him, who struggles for whom? Help the Lord! There is a proverb in our language, "Shall we teach the Architect of the universe how to build?" So those are the highest of mankind who do not work. The next time you see these silly phrases about the world and how we must all help God and do this or that for Him, remember this. Do not think such thoughts; they are too selfish. All the work you do is subjective, is done for your own benefit. God has not fallen into a ditch for you and me to help Him out by building a hospital or something of that sort. He allows you to work. He allows you to exercise your muscles in this great gymnasium, not in order to help Him but that you may help yourself. Do you think even an ant will die for want of your help? Most arrant blasphemy! The world does not need you at all. The world goes on you are like a drop in the ocean. A leaf does not move, the wind does not blow without Him. Blessed are we that we are given the privilege of working for Him, not of helping Him. Cut out this word "help" from your mind. You cannot help; it is blaspheming. You are here yourself at His pleasure. Do you mean to say, you help Him? You worship. When you give a morsel of food to the dog, you worship the dog as God. God is in that dog. He is the dog. He is all and in all. We are allowed to worship Him. Stand in that reverent attitude to the whole universe, and then will come perfect non-attachment. This should be your duty. This is the proper attitude of work. This is the secret taught by Karma-Yoga.
 

Meaning of ‘Work is Worship': Every man is born with two hands and a mouth. It means God wants us to work. We have to work to satisfy our needs. When a man works sincerely, he gets success in life. When he works half-heartedly, he is bound to fail. As is the case with work so is the case with worship. A worshipper worships with some aim in mind. He wants to be free from sufferings. He does not worry about the obstacles on the way. A worshipper can find God if he worships sincerely. A worker can succeed if he works honestly. So work and worship are similar in nature.

Discoveries and inventions: The man who works hard brings happiness to the earth. We have many immediate needs to meet. Man discovered fire to cook his food. He discovered clothes to protect himself against cold. He had no shelter. So he built huts and houses. Man invented machines to produce things faster. Man kept on inventing one thing after another. He succeeded in his efforts only when he worked day in day out. Columbus discovered America despite all difficulties. Marconi invented radio after devoting all his life-time to it. So work and worship are of the same type.
Happiness: Both work and worship aim at ending sufferings. They try to create happiness on earth. Man invented machines. They are of different kinds and for different purposes. What we did with hands is now being done by machines. We do not have to work slowly and painfully. Machines work faster and better. All this shows the truth of the saying that “Work is Worship”. Man’s work aims at creating better and happier conditions in society. A worshipper wants to be free from want, hunger and sorrows. A man who works for improving the living conditions of human beings is also a worshipper.
Conclusion: But too much of everything is bad. “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy”. So we should both work and play. Where work is creating, it is worship. It is a blessing to mankind. But wicked work like starting war, looting people, black-marketing, smuggling etc. is not worship. Work which is done for the welfare of human beings is worship.

8 Lesser Known Secrets Of Kashmir That It Has Kept To Itself

November 16, 2015, 6:12 am

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8 Lesser Known Secrets Of Kashmir That It Has Kept To Itself

27 September 2015 Kushal Walia

Kashmir has forever been considered the Paradise on Earth. But since independence, it has been better known to be the war capital of Asia with India, Pakistan, and China always claiming the paradise for themselves. In the midst of all these tensions and wars, you are sure to miss out on these lesser-known secrets about Kashmir that we have compiled for you.

1. Kashmir might have naturally fallen into the lap of Pakistan.

Based on suggestions by his ministers, Hari Singh (the then ruler of Kashmir) might have merged Kashmir with Pakistan. However, the impatient Pakistan invaded Kashmir and Hari Singh decided to merge it with India to ensure the safety of his subjects.

2. Historical manuscripts state Kashmir was a lake.

Until Kashyap Rishi drained off the water making it a beautiful abode.

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3. No, Mughal emperor Jahangir did not discover Kashmir. Srinagar was founded by Emperor Ashoka.

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However, Jahangir labeled it as the ‘Paradise on Earth’.

4. The 3 religions – Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam – have contributed to the cultural heritage of Kashmir.

And we all thought it to be a Muslim state.

5. Overall literacy rate in Kashmir is higher than that of India & Pakistan.

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Kashmiris ain’t uneducated you see..!

6. Jammu & Kashmir is the only state with a flag of its own.

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And many other constitutional exceptions exist for this state.

7. Water resources in Kashmir Valley can generate thousands of megawatts of power.

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It is the highest in the Asian sub-continent.

8. Kashmir is surrounded by 2 nuclear-armed countries(Pakistan and China) and is a part of the third one, India .

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It is one of the most dangerously located places in the world.
The secrets of Kashmir have been a mystery to many. Let us know the secret that intrigued you the most.

Local Weather Report and Forecast For: Kakinada Dated :Nov 15, 2015

November 16, 2015, 7:56 am

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  INDIA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT 
                                    NWP MODELS BASED DISTRICT LEVEL WEATHER PREDICTION          
                                               ISSUED ON:  16-11-2015
                                        VALID TILL 08:30 IST  OF THE NEXT 5 DAYS

 DISTRICT :  EAST-GODAVARI                                                  STATE :  ANDRA-PRADESH    
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
    PARAMETERS                                            ENSEMBLE FCST   
                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              DAY-1               DAY-2               DAY-3               DAY-4               DAY-5
                              17/11               18/11               19/11               20/11               21/11
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Rainfall (mm)                  23                  24                   9                   4                   0
Max Temperature ( deg C)       27                  20                  25                  28                  29
Min Temperature ( deg C)       18                  18                  18                  15                  14
Total cloud cover (octa)        8                   8                   8                   7                   3
Max Relative Humidity (%)      89                  91                  81                  77                  83
Min Relative Humidity (%)      56                  75                  62                  56                  42
Wind speed (kmph)             010                 015                 012                 009                 006
Wind direction (deg)           51                  69                  63                  53                  98
------------------ ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------

 NOTE: -99.0 ........ NO DATA 

Local Weather Report and Forecast For: Kakinada    Dated :Nov 15, 2015

	Past 24 Hours Weather Data Maximum Temp(oC) 30.9 Departure from Normal(oC) 1 Minimum Temp (oC) 21.6 Departure from Normal(oC) -1 24 Hours Rainfall (mm) NIL Todays Sunset (IST) 17:26 Tommorows Sunrise (IST) 06:06 Moonset (IST) 20:33 Moonrise (IST) 08:56
Today's Forecast:Sky condition would be partly cloudy. Rain/thundershowers would occur.Maximum & Minimum temperatures would be around 31 and 22 deg.cel respectively.
Date Temperature ( o C ) Weather Forecast Minimum Maximum 16-Nov 22.0 31.0 Mainly or Generally cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 17-Nov 22.0 31.0 Mainly or Generally cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 18-Nov 23.0 31.0 Mainly or Generally cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 19-Nov 23.0 31.0 Partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 20-Nov 23.0 32.0 Partly cloudy sky with Thundery development 21-Nov 23.0 32.0 Partly cloudy sky with Thundery development

• Monday 11/16
  31°|22°
  Chance of Rain
  60% / 2 mm
• Tuesday 11/17
  26°|22°
  Rain
  80% / 13 mm
• Wednesday 11/18
  28°|23°
  Chance of Rain
  60% / 4 mm
• Thursday 11/19
  28°|23°
  Mostly Cloudy
  20% / 4 mm
• Friday 11/20
  30°|23°
  Chance of Rain
  40% / 1 mm
• Saturday 11/21
  30°|22°
  Clear
  10% / 0 mm
• Sunday 11/22
  31°|22°
  Clear
  10% / 0 mm
• Monday 11/23
  30°|22°
  Partly Cloudy
  10% / 0 mm
• Tuesday 11/24
  30°|22°
  Partly Cloudy
  20% / 0 mm
• Wednesday 11/25
  29°|21°
  Partly Cloudy
  20% / 0 mm

17.11.2015  forecast

Time	Temp.	Feels Like	Dew Point	Humidity	Conditions		Precip.	Liquid Precip.	Wind	Cloud Cover	Pressure
12:00 am	25 °C	25 °C	21 °C	80%		Overcast	0%	0 mm	13 km/h NE	87%	1011hPa
1:00 am	23 °C	23 °C	21 °C	85%		Overcast	10%	0 mm	19 km/h NE	90%	1010hPa
2:00 am	23 °C	23 °C	21 °C	86%		Chance of Rain	35%	0 mm	21 km/h NE	92%	1009hPa
3:00 am	24 °C	24 °C	21 °C	84%		Chance of Rain	46%	0 mm	13 km/h NE	95%	1009hPa
4:00 am	23 °C	24 °C	21 °C	85%		Chance of Rain	57%	1 mm	23 km/h NE	97%	1009hPa
5:00 am	23 °C	24 °C	21 °C	85%		Chance of Rain	57%	1 mm	23 km/h NE	99%	1009hPa
6:00 am	22 °C	23 °C	21 °C	89%		Chance of Rain	68%	1 mm	14 km/h NE	99%	1010hPa
7:00 am	23 °C	24 °C	20 °C	84%		Chance of Rain	68%	1 mm	24 km/h NE	98%	1011hPa
8:00 am	23 °C	24 °C	20 °C	84%		Chance of Rain	68%	1 mm	23 km/h NE	98%	1012hPa
9:00 am	22 °C	23 °C	21 °C	97%		Chance of Rain	62%	1 mm	14 km/h NE	98%	1012hPa
10:00 am	24 °C	26 °C	21 °C	83%		Chance of Rain	62%	1 mm	24 km/h NE	99%	1012hPa
11:00 am	24 °C	27 °C	21 °C	83%		Rain	63%	1 mm	24 km/h NE	100%	1012hPa
12:00 pm	24 °C	27 °C	22 °C	87%		Rain	80%	1 mm	14 km/h NE	100%	1011hPa
1:00 pm	23 °C	24 °C	21 °C	89%		Rain	82%	1 mm	24 km/h NE	100%	1010hPa
2:00 pm	23 °C	24 °C	21 °C	92%		Rain	82%	1 mm	24 km/h NE	100%	1009hPa
3:00 pm	26 °C	29 °C	23 °C	82%		Rain	85%	1 mm	14 km/h NE	100%	1009hPa
4:00 pm	23 °C	24 °C	21 °C	92%		Rain	85%	1 mm	24 km/h NE	100%	1009hPa
5:00 pm	23 °C	24 °C	21 °C	92%		Chance of Rain	80%	1 mm	24 km/h NE	99%	1009hPa
6:00 pm	25 °C	28 °C	22 °C	83%		Chance of Rain	58%	1 mm	16 km/h NE	99%	1010hPa
7:00 pm	23 °C	24 °C	22 °C	93%		Chance of Rain	58%	1 mm	26 km/h NE	97%	1011hPa
8:00 pm	23 °C	24 °C	21 °C	90%		Chance of Rain	57%	1 mm	26 km/h NE	96%	1012hPa
9:00 pm	25 °C	28 °C	22 °C	81%		Chance of Rain	52%	1 mm	18 km/h NE	93%	1012hPa
10:00 pm	23 °C	24 °C	21 °C	88%		Chance of Rain	52%	1 mm	26 km/h NE	88%	1012hPa
11:00 pm	23 °C	24 °C	21 °C	87%		Chance of Rain	52%	0 mm	24 km/h NE	85%	1012hPa

Source: Weather Underground BestForecast

Monday, November 16, 2015

	Actual	Average	Record
Temperature
Mean Temperature	25 °C	-
Max Temperature	27 °C	-	- ()
Min Temperature	23 °C	-	- ()
Cooling Degree Days	12
Growing Degree Days	28 (Base 50)
Moisture
Dew Point	22 °C
Average Humidity	74
Maximum Humidity	83
Minimum Humidity	63
Precipitation
Precipitation	0.0 mm	-	- ()
Sea Level Pressure
Sea Level Pressure	1010.14 hPa
Wind
Wind Speed	3 km/h ()
Max Wind Speed	11 km/h
Max Gust Speed	-
Visibility	6.6 kilometers
Events

T = Trace of Precipitation, MM = Missing Value

Source: Averaged Metar Reports

Daily Weather History Graph

Month of November, 2015

	Max	Avg	Min	Sum
Temperature
Max Temperature	32 °C	31 °C	27 °C
Mean Temperature	28 °C	27 °C	25 °C
Min Temperature	26 °C	23 °C	20 °C
Degree Days
Heating Degree Days (base 65)	0	0	0	0
Cooling Degree Days (base 65)	18	15	12	247
Growing Degree Days (base 50)	33	30	28	486
Dew Point
Dew Point	26 °C	23 °C	11 °C
Precipitation
Precipitation	3.0 mm	0.2 mm	0.0 mm	3.40 mm
Snowdepth	-	-	-	-
Wind
Wind	15 km/h	3 km/h	0 km/h
Gust Wind	-	-	-
Sea Level Pressure
Sea Level Pressure	1015 hPa	1012 hPa	1008 hPa

 

 

 

Monthly Weather History Graph

Record rains submerge Chennai, kill 71 in Tamil Nadu

November 16, 2015, 5:32 pm

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Record rains submerge Chennai, kill 71 in Tamil Nadu 

Record rains submerge Chennai, kill 71 in Tamil Nadu

TNN | Nov 17, 2015, 02.12 AM IST

The Met office said the showers will continue for three more days.

C

The rainfall between 8am on Sunday and 8am on Monday was the most the city received in 24 hours in November in a decade — almost twice as much as the previous record of 14cm on November 7, 2005 — and probably unsurpassed since the 45.2cm of November 25, 1976.

The IAF joined rescue operations, with helicopters carrying out six sorties from the Tambaram Air Force Station and lifting 22 people to safety from affected areas.

The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) deployed five teams of 200 men in Chennai even as the district administration pressed boats into service, with 600 localities remaining submerged in what is now an all-out crisis situation.



Rescue teams had by Monday evening moved 10,000 people to safer areas from flooded localities and those at threat of flooding and rescued several hundred people from their houses in various localities, some of which were under rainwater up to 10ft high.

Chief minister J Jayalalitha visited rain-hit areas in the city, including her RK Nagar constituency, and announced Rs 500 crore for relief operations in the state.

The Met office said the showers will continue for three more days but they will be of diminished intensity as the depression responsible for the rainfall over the past 10 days has is moving northward from the Tamil Nadu coast.

"Rainfall will reduce starting from Monday evening," a Met official said. "Isolated heavy to very heavy rain will continue over northern Tamil Nadu and Puducherry till 8.30am on Tuesday."

The showers reduced temperatures, making for the most pleasant weather since the summer for those lucky enough to escape the flooding. The Met office recorded a minimum of 23.3°C and a maximum of 28.1°C on Monday.

Scaffolding

November 17, 2015, 7:26 am

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Scaffolding Part 1 Self Inspection Checklist

Guidelines: This checklist covers regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under subpart L of the construction standards 29 CFR 1926.451. It applies to temporary scaffolding at worksites associated with construction, alteration, demolition, or repair work including painting and decorating. It covers general requirements regarding capacity, scaffold platform construction, criteria for supported scaffolds, and access. The checklist does not address criteria for suspension scaffolds, suspension ropes, and stairtowers. Please consult the OSHA standard 29 CFR 1926.451 for these types of scaffold situations. The regulations cited apply only to private employers and their employees, unless adopted by a State agency and applied to other groups such as public employees. A yesanswer to a question indicates that this portion of the inspection complies with the OSHA or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standard, or with a nonregulatory recommendation. This checklist should be used with the Scaffolding-Part 2 checklist. Subpart L of the OSHA construction standards includes appendixes that provide useful information on scaffold specifications. Definitions of terms in bold type are provided at the end of the checklist.

	Please Circle
Construction
Does each scaffold and scaffold componentsupport (without failure) its own weight and at least 4 times the maximum intended load?[29 CFR 1926.451(a)(1)] Note: The stall load of any scaffold hoistmust not exceed 3 times its rated load [29 CFR 1926.451(a)(5)]. Appendix A ofthe OSHA regulations gives directions for constructing scaffolds.	Y   N   N/A
Are all working levels on scaffolds fullyplanked or decked between the front uprights and the guardrail supports?[29 CFR 1926.451(b)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
Are scaffold platform spaces 1inch or lessbetween adjacent units and the uprights? [29 CFR 1926.451(b)(1)(i)] Note: Spaces up to 9 1/2 inches wide arepermitted around uprights. If platforms are used only as walkways or during erecting ordismantling, the employer may establish the space between planking as necessary toprovide safe working conditions.	Y   N   N/A
Are all scaffold platforms at least18 inches wide?[29 CFR 1926.451(b)(2)] Note: Scaffold platforms less than18 inches wide are permitted if wider platforms are not possible. However,employees who use theseplatforms must be protected byguardrails or personal fall arrestsystems.	Y   N   N/A
Is the distance between the front edge ofthe scaffold platform and the face of the work 14 inches or less, unless guardrailsystems are put along the front edge, or personal fall arrest systems are used?[29 CFR 1926.451(b)(3)] Note: Exceptions are permitted underspecial situations. Consult the OSHA regulations for details. The maximumdistance from the face for plastering and lathing operations is 18 inches.	Y   N   N/A
Does the end of each scaffold platformextend over the centerline of its support at least 6 inches unless cleated or otherwiserestrained by hooks or equivalent means? [29 CFR 1926.451(b)(4)]	Y   N   N/A
If the scaffold platform is 10 feet or less inlength, does the end of the scaffold platform extend 12 inches or less over its support?[29 CFR 1926.451(b)(5)(i)] Note: The end of the scaffold platform mayextend more than 12 inches over its support if the platform is designed and installed sothat the cantilevered portion of the platform can support workers or materials withouttipping, or a guardrail blocks worker access to the cantilevered end.	Y   N   N/A
On scaffolds where planks are abutted to forma long platform, does each plank end rest ona separate support surface?[29 CFR 1926.451(b)(6)] Note: Common support members, such as"T" sections, may be used to support abuttingplanks. Hook-on platforms designed to reston common supports may also be used.	Y   N   N/A
On scaffolds where platforms overlap toform a long platform, does the overlap occur over supports? Is the overlap atleast 12 inches unless the platform is nailed together or otherwise restrainedto prevent movement?[29 CFR 1926.451(b)(7)]	Y   N   N/A
At points of a scaffold where the platformchanges direction, is this procedure followed? [29 CFR 1926.451(b)(8)] Step 1: Lay the platform that rests on abearer at an angle other than a right angle. Step 2: Lay the platform that rests atright angles over the same bearer, on top of the first platform.	Y   N   N/A
Is it prohibited to cover wood platformson scaffolds with opaque finishes? [29 CFR 1926.451(b)(9)] Note: Platform edges may be covered ormarked for identification. Wood platforms may be coated periodically with woodpreservatives, fire-retardant finishes,and slip-resistant finishes; however, thecoating may not obscure the top orbottom wood surfaces.	Y   N   N/A
Do scaffold components from differentmanufacturers fit together without force and maintain the scaffold's structural integrity?[29 CFR 1926.451(b)(10)]	Y   N   N/A
Are scaffold components from differentmanufacturers modified ONLY if a competent person determines that thescaffold made of the 'mixed' parts is structurally sound?[29 CFR 1926.451(b)(10)]	Y   N   N/A
Are scaffold components made of dissimilarmetals used together ONLY if a competent person has determined that galvanic actionwill not reduce the strength of anycomponent to an unacceptable level?[29 CFR 1926.451(b)(11)]	Y   N   N/A
Criteria for Supported Scaffolds
Are supported scaffolds with a height tobase width ratio of more than 4 to 1 restrained from tipping by guying, tying,bracing, or equivalents? [29 CFR 1926.451(c)(1)] Note: Install guys, ties, and braces atlocations where horizontal memberssupport both inner and outer legs. InstallGuys, ties, and braces according to thescaffold manufacturer's recommendationsor at the closest horizontal member tothe 4 to 1 height. Repeat vertically atlocations of horizontal members every20 feet or less thereafter for scaffolds3 feet wide or less, and every 26 feet orless thereafter for scaffolds greater than3 feet wide. Place the top guy, tie, orbrace of completed scaffolds no furtherthan the 4 to 1 height from the top. Installguys, ties, and braces at each end ofthe scaffold and at horizontal intervals30 feet or less (measured from one end[not both] towards the other). Use ties,guys, braces, or outriggers to preventtipping when there is an eccentric load,such as a cantilevered work platform.	Y   N   N/A
Are supported scaffold poles, legs, posts,frames, and uprights placed on base plates and mud sills or other firm foundation?[29 CFR 1926.451(c)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Are footings level, sound, and rigid? Can theysupport the loaded scaffold without settling ordisplacement?[29 CFR 1926.451(c)(2)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
Is it prohibited to use unstable objects forsupporting scaffolds and platform units? [29 CFR 1926.451(c)(2)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
Is it prohibited to use unstable objects asworking platforms? [29 CFR 1926.451(c)(2)(iii)]	Y   N   N/A
Is it prohibited to use front-end loaders andsimilar pieces of equipment to support scaffoldplatforms, unless they were designed by themanufacturer for such use? [29 CFR 1926.451(c)(2)(iv)]	Y   N   N/A
Are supported scaffold poles, legs, posts, frames,and uprights plum and braced to preventswaying and displacement?[29 CFR 1926.451(c)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
Access
Are ladders, stairs, ramps, or walkways providedto access scaffold platforms more than 2 feetabove or below a point of access?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(1)] Note: Cross-braces must not be used as ameans of access.	Y   N   N/A
Are portable, hook-on, and attachable ladderspositioned to prevent the scaffold from tipping?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(2)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
Are hook-on and attachable ladders positionedso the bottom rung is not more than 24 inchesabove the scaffold supporting level?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(2)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
Are hook-on and attachable ladders designedfor the scaffold in use? [29 CFR 1926.451(e)(2)(iv)]	Y   N   N/A
Do hook-on and attachable ladders have runglength of at least 11 1/2 inches? [29 CFR 1926.451(e)(2)(v)]	Y   N   N/A
Do hook-on and attachable ladders haveuniformly spaced rungs with a maximum spacing between rungs of 16-3/4 inches?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(2)(vi)]	Y   N   N/A
Is the bottom step of stairway-type ladders24 inches or less above the scaffold supportinglevel?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(3)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
Do stairway-type ladders have rest platformsat 12-foot maximum vertical intervals? [29 CFR 1926.451(e)(3)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
Do stairway-type ladders have a step width ofat least 16 inches? [29 CFR 1926.451(e)(3)(iii)] Note: Mobile scaffold stairway-type laddersmay have a minimum step width of 11 1/2 inches.	Y   N   N/A
Do stairway-type ladders have slip-resistanttreads on all steps and landings? [29 CFR 1926.451(e)(3)(iv)]	Y   N   N/A
Do ramps and walkways 6 feet or moreabove lower levels have guardrails? [29 CFR 1926.451(e)(5)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
Are ramps and walkways inclined with aslope less than 1 vertical to 3 horizontal 20 degrees above the horizontal?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(5)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
Do ramps and walkways that are steeper than1 vertical in 8 horizontal have cleats 14 inches(or less) apart that are securely fastened to theplanks to provide footing? [29 CFR 1926.451(e)(5)(iii)]	Y   N   N/A
Are integral prefabricated scaffold accessframes constructed for use as ladder rungs? [29 CFR 1926.451(e)(6)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
Do integral prefabricated scaffold accessframes have rung lengths of at least 8 inches? [29 CFR 1926.451(e)(6)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
Do employees have fall protectionif integral prefabricated scaffold access frameswith rungs less than 11 1/2 inches are usedas work platforms?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(6)(iii)]	Y   N   N/A
Are integral prefabricated scaffold access framesuniformly spaced within each frame section?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(6)(iv)]	Y   N   N/A
Do integral prefabricated scaffold access frameshave a maximum spacing between rungs of16-3/4 inches?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(6)(v)] Note: Non-uniform rung spacing caused byjoining end frames together is allowed, providethe resulting spacing is 16-3/4 inches or less.	Y   N   N/A
Do steps and rungs of ladder and stairway-typeaccess line up vertically with each other between rest platforms?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(7)]	Y   N   N/A
Is the horizontal distance 14 inches (or less)and the vertical distance 24 inches (or less) between two surfaces used to provide directaccess between them? [29 CFR 1926.451(e)(8)]	Y   N   N/A
During erecting and dismantling of supportedscaffolds, does a competent person provideand evaluate safe means of access?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(9)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
During erecting and dismantling of supportedscaffolds, are hook-on or attachable laddersinstalled as soon as they can be used safely?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(9)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
During erecting and dismantling of supportedscaffolds, are the ends of tubular welded framescaffolds used as climbing devices for accessonly if the horizontal members are parallel, level,and 22 inches apart (or less) vertically?[29 CFR 1926.451(e)(9)(iii)]	Y   N   N/A
During erecting and dismantling of supportedscaffolds, is it prohibited to use the cross braceson tubular welded frame scaffolds for accessor exit? [29 CFR 1926.451(e)(9)(iv)]	Y   N   N/A
Use
Are scaffolds and scaffold components loadedbelow their maximum intended loads or ratedcapacities (whichever is less)?[29 CFR 1926.451(f)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
Is the use of shore or lean-to scaffolds prohibited?[29 CFR 1926.451(f)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Does a competent person inspect scaffoldsand scaffold components for visible defects before each work shift, and after any occurrencethat could affect a scaffold's structural integrity?[29 CFR 1926.451(f)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
Are parts of a scaffold that are damaged orweakened immediately repaired, replaced, braced, or removed from service until repaired?[29 CFR 1926.451(f)(4)]	Y   N   N/A
Is the horizontal movement of a scaffoldprohibited while workers are on the scaffold (unless the scaffold is designed for movementby a registered professional engineer, or is amobile scaffold meeting OSHA standards)?[29 CFR 1926.451(f)(5)]	Y   N   N/A
Are proper clearances (as shown in Tables 1and 2) between scaffolds and power lines always maintained?[29 CFR 1926.451(f)(6)] Note: Scaffolds and materials may be closerto power lines if such clearance is necessary,and only after the utility company or electricalsystem operator has been notified, and theutility company or electrical system operatorhas deenergized the lines, relocated the lines,or installed protective coverings to preventcontact with the lines.	Y   N   N/A
Table 1: Insulated Power Lines Insulated Lines Voltage Minimum Distance Alternative Less than 300 volts 300 volts to 50 kv More than 50 kv 3 feet (0.9 m) 10 feet (3.1 m) 10 feet (3.1 m) plus 4.0 inches (10 cm) for each 1 kv over 50 kv 2 times the length of the line insulator, but never less than 10 feet (3.1m)
Table 2: Uninsulated Power Lines Uninsulated Line Voltage Minimum Distance Alternatives Less than 50 kv More than 50 kv 10 feet (3.1 m) 10 feet (3.1 m) plus 4.0 inches (10 cm) for each 1 kv over 50 kv 2 times the length of the line insulator, but never less than 10 feet (3.1 m)
Are scaffolds erected, moved, dismantled,or altered only under the supervision and direction of a competent person qualified inscaffold erection, moving, dismantling, or alteration?[29 CFR 1926.451(f)(7)]	Y   N   N/A
Are scaffolds erected, moved, dismantled,or altered only by experienced and trained employees selected for such work by thecompetent person? [29 CFR 1926.451(f)(7)]	Y   N   N/A
Is it prohibited to work on scaffolds coveredwith snow, ice, or other slippery material, except as necessary to remove such materials?[29 CFR 1926.451(f)(8)]	Y   N   N/A
If swinging loads are hoisted onto or nearscaffolds, are tag lines or equivalent measures used to control the loads?[29 CFR 1926.451(f)(9)]	Y   N   N/A
Is working on scaffolds during storms orhigh winds prohibited unless a competent person has determined that it is safe forworkers to be on the scaffold and workers are protected by a personal fall arrestsystem or wind screens? [29 CFR 1926.451(f)(12)]	Y   N   N/A
Is debris removed from platforms?[29 CFR 1926.451(f)(13)]	Y   N   N/A
Are makeshift devices, such as boxes and barrels, prohibited on scaffold platforms for increasing the working level height?[29 CFR 1926.451(f)(14)]	Y   N   N/A
Is it prohibited to use ladders on scaffoldsto increase the working level height? [29 CFR 1926.451(f)(15)] Note: Ladders may be used on large areascaffolds if certain conditions are met. Consult the OSHA regulations for therequired conditions.	Y   N   N/A
Are scaffold platforms used only if they deflect1/60 of the span (or less) when loaded? [29 CFR 1926.451(f)(16)]	Y   N   N/A

Definitions:

Competent person: one who can identify hazards in the surroundings or working conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous to workers, and who has authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

Lean-to scaffold: a supported scaffold that is kept erect by tilting it toward and resting it against a building or structure.

Personal fall arrest system: a system used to stop an employee's fall. It consists of an anchorage, connectors, a body belt or body harness, and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or combinations of these.

Shore scaffold: a supported scaffold that is placed against a building or structure and held in place with props.

Supported scaffold: one or more platforms supported by outrigger beams, brackets, poles, legs, uprights, posts, frames, or similar rigid support.

Comments/Corrective action:

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Scaffolding Part 2

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Scaffolding Part 2 Self Inspection Checklist

Guidelines: This checklist covers regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under subpart L of the construction standards 29 CFR 1926.451, 1926.452, and 1926.454. It applies to erecting temporary scaffolding at worksites associated with construction, alteration, demolition, or repair work, including painting and decorating. It covers fall protection, falling object protection, pole scaffolds, tube and coupler scaffolds, fabricated frame scaffolds, horse scaffolds, ladder jack scaffolds, and training. This checklist does not cover additional requirements for plasterers', decorators', and large-area scaffolds; bricklayers' square scaffolds; form scaffolds and carpenters' bracket scaffolds; roof bracket scaffolds; outrigger scaffolds; pump jack scaffolds; window jack scaffolds; crawling boards (chicken ladders); step, platform, and trestle ladder scaffolds; single-point adjustable suspension scaffolds; two-point adjustable suspension scaffolds (swing stages); multi-point adjustable suspension scaffolds, stonesetters' multi-point adjustable suspension scaffolds, and masons' multi-point adjustable suspension scaffolds; catenary scaffolds; float (ship) scaffolds; interior hung scaffolds; needle beam scaffolds; multi-level suspended scaffolds; mobile scaffolds; repair bracket scaffolds; stilts; and aerial lifts. Please consult the OSHA standards 29 CFR 1926.451, 1926.452 and 1926.453 for these types of scaffolds. The regulations cited apply only to private employers and their employees, unless adopted by a State agency and applied to other groups such as public employees. A yes answer to a question indicates that this portion of the inspection complies with the OSHA or U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA standard), or with a nonregulatory recommendation. This checklist should be used with the Scaffolding-Part 1 checklist. Subpart L of the OSHA construction standards includes appendixes that give useful information on scaffold specifications. Definitions of terms in bold type are provided at the end of the checklist.

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Fall Protection
Are workers on scaffolds that are more than 10 feet above a lower level protected from falling by oneof the following measures:  a personal fall arrest system for workers on ladder jack scaffolds. [29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1)(i)]  a guardrail system installed within 9 1/2 inches of and along at least one side of the walkway for workers on awalkway located within a scaffold. [29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1)(v)]  a personal fall arrest system or guardrail system to protect workers doing overhandbricklaying from a supported scaffoldfrom falling off open sides and ends of the scaffold (except at the side next tothe wall being laid)?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1)(vi)]  a personal fall arrest system or guardrail system for workers on all other scaffolds.[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(1)(vii)]	Y   N   N/A
Does a competent person determine the feasibility and safety of providing fall protection for workerserecting or dismantling supported scaffolds? [29 CFR 1926.451(g)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Do workers erecting or dismantling supported scaffolds use fall protection when it is safeand feasible?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Are personal fall arrest systems used on scaffolds attached by a lanyard to a vertical lifeline,horizontal lifeline, or scaffold structuralmember? [29 CFR 1926.451(g)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
When vertical lifelines are used, are they fastened to a fixed safe point of anchorage,independent of the scaffold, and protectedfrom sharp edges and abrasion? [29 CFR 1926.451(g)(3)(i)] Note: Safe points of anchorage includestructural members of buildings, but do notinclude standpipes, vents, other pipingsystems, electrical conduit, outrigger beams, or counterweights.	Y   N   N/A
When horizontal lifelines are used, are they secured to two or more structural membersof the scaffold?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(3)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
Is it prohibited to attach vertical lifelines and independent support lines to one another, to the same point of anchorage,and to the same point on the scaffold orpersonal fall arrest system?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(3)(iv)]	Y   N   N/A
When guardrail systems are required, are they installed along all open sides andends of platforms?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(i)] Note: Guardrails systems must be installedbefore the scaffold is used by workersother than erecting or dismantling crews.	Y   N   N/A
If the scaffolds were manufactured or placed in service after January 1, 2000, is the topedge height of toprails (or equivalentmember) on supported scaffolds between38 and 45 inches above the platform surface? [29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(ii)] Note: When necessary, the height of thetop edge may exceed 45 inches if the guardrail meets all OSHA requirements.	Y   N   N/A
If scaffolds were manufactured or placed in service before January 1, 2000, is thetop edge height of toprails (or equivalentmember) on supported scaffolds between36 and 45 inches above the platform surface? [29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(ii)] Note: When necessary, the height of thetop edge may exceed 45 inches if the guardrail meets all OSHA requirements.	Y   N   N/A
Are midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, and solid panels (orequivalent structural members) installedbetween the top edge of the guardrailsystem and the scaffold platform?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(iii)]	Y   N   N/A
When midrails are used, are they installed approximately midway between the topedge of the guardrail system and theplatform surface? [29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(iv)]	Y   N   N/A
When screens and mesh are used, do they extend from the top edge of the guardrailsystem to the scaffold platform, and alongthe entire opening between the supports?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(v)]	Y   N   N/A
When intermediate members (such as balusters or additional rails) are used, arethey installed 19 inches or less apart?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(vi)]	Y   N   N/A
Can each toprail (or equivalent member) of a guardrail system withstand (withoutfailure) a 200-pound force applied in anydownward or horizontal direction at anypoint along its top edge?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(vii)] Note: Appendix A of subpart L of the OSHAregulations gives directions for constructingacceptable guardrail systems.	Y   N   N/A
When a 200 pound force is applied in a downward direction on the toprail (or equivalent member) of a guardrail system,does the top edge still maintain the OSHArequired height (see questions 9 and 10)?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(viii)]	Y   N   N/A
Can midrails, screens, mesh, intermediate vertical members, solid panels, and equivalentstructural members of a guardrail systemwithstand (without failure) a 150-pound forceapplied in any downward or horizontaldirection at any point along the midrailor other member?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(ix)]	Y   N   N/A
Are guardrails surfaced to prevent snagging of clothing and injury from punctures or lacerations?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(xi)]	Y   N   N/A
Is it prohibited for rails to overhang the terminal posts, except when such overhangdoes not constitute a projection hazard?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(xii)]	Y   N   N/A
Is the use of steel or plastic banding for toprails or midrails prohibited? [29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(xiii)]	Y   N   N/A
If manila, plastic, or other synthetic rope is used for toprails or midrails, is it inspected by a competent person as necessary toensure that it continues to meet the OSHAstrength requirements?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(xiv)]	Y   N   N/A
If crossbracing is used to replace a midrail, is the crossing point of the two braces between20 and 30 inches above the work platform? [29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(xv)]	Y   N   N/A
If crossbracing is used to replace a toprail, is the crossing point of the two braces between38 and 48 inches above the work platform? [29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(xv)]	Y   N   N/A
If crossbracing is used to replace a midrail or toprail, are the end points at each upright48 inches apart or less?[29 CFR 1926.451(g)(4)(xv)]	Y   N   N/A
Falling Object Protection
Do workers on scaffolds wear hardhats? [29 CFR 1926.451(h)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
Are workers protected from falling hand tools, debris, and other small objects by toeboards,screens, guardrail systems, debris nets, catchplatforms, or canopy structures that containor deflect the falling objects? [29 CFR 1926.451(h)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
If objects are too large, heavy, or massive to be contained or deflected, are they movedaway from the edge of the surface from whichthey could fall and secured?[29 CFR 1926.451(h)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
If tools, materials, or equipment could fall from a scaffold and strike workers, are one ofthe following protective measures used?[29 CFR 1926.451(h)(2)]  The area below the scaffold to which objects can fall is barricaded, and workers are not permitted to enterthe hazard area.  A toeboard is erected along the edge of platforms more than 10 feet abovelower levels for a distance sufficientto protect workers below.	Y   N   N/A
If tools, materials, or equipment are piled higher than the top edge of the toeboard, are one of the following protective measures used? [29 CFR 1926.451(h)(2)]  Paneling or screening extending from the toeboard or platform to the top of theguardrail is erected for a distancesufficient to protect the workers below.  A guardrail system is installed with openings small enough to prevent passage of falling objects.  A canopy structure, debris net, or catch platform strong enough to withstandthe impact forces of the falling objectsis erected over the workers.	Y   N   N/A
If canopies are used to protect workers, are they installed between the falling object hazard and the workers?[29 CFR 1926.451(h)(3)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
If toeboards are used to protect workers, can they withstand (without failure) a force of atleast 50 pounds applied in any downward orhorizontal direction at any point along the toeboard?[29 CFR 1926.451(h)(4)(i)] Note: Appendix A of Subpart L of the OSHAregulations provides directions for constructingacceptable toeboards.	Y   N   N/A
If toeboards are used to protect workers, are they at least 3-1/2 inches high from the top edge of the toeboard to the level of the walking/working surface? [29 CFR 1926.451(h)(4)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
If toeboards are used to protect workers, are they securely fastened in place at the outermost edgeof the platform? Do they have 1/4-inch or lessclearance above the walking or working surface?[29 CFR 1926.451(h)(4)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
If toeboards are used to protect workers, are they solid or with openings of 1inch or less in thegreatest dimension?[29 CFR 1926.451(h)(4)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
Pole Scaffolds
When platforms are moved to the next level, are existing platforms left undisturbed until the newbearers have been set in place and braced? [29 CFR 1926.452(a)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
Is crossbracing installed between the inner and outer set of poles on double pole scaffolds?[29 CFR 1926.452(a)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Is diagonal bracing that is installed in both directions across the entire inside face ofdouble-pole scaffolds used to support loadsequivalent to a uniformly distributed load of50 pounds or more per square foot? [29 CFR 1926.452(a)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
Is diagonal bracing installed in both directions across the entire outside face of all double- and single-pole scaffolds?[29 CFR 1926.452(a)(4)]	Y   N   N/A
Are runners and bearers installed on edge? [29 CFR 1926.452(a)(5)]	Y   N   N/A
Do bearers extend at least 3 inches over the outside edges of the runners?[29 CFR 1926.452(a)(6)]	Y   N   N/A
Do runners extend at least over two poles? Are they supported by bearing blocks that aresecurely attached to the poles?[29 CFR 1926.452(a)(7)]	Y   N   N/A
Is it prohibited to splice braces, bearers, and runners between poles?[29 CFR 1926.452(a)(8)]	Y   N   N/A
If wooden poles are spliced, are they square? Does the upper section rest squarely on the lower section?[29 CFR 1926.452(a)(9)] Note: Wood splice plates must be on at least twoadjacent sides, and must extend at least 2 feeton either side of the splice, overlap the abuttedends equally, and have at least the samecross-sectional areas as the pole. Splice plates ofother materials of equivalent strength may be used.	Y   N   N/A
Tube and Coupler Scaffolds
When platforms are moved to the next level, are existing platforms left undisturbed until the newbearers have been set in place and braced? [29 CFR 1926.452(b)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
Are transverse braces that form an "X" across the width of the scaffold installed at the scaffold endsand at least at every 3rd set of posts horizontally (measured form one end) and every 4th runnervertically? [29 CFR 1926.452(b)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Dose bracing extend diagonally from the inner or outer posts or runners upward to the next outeror inner posts or runners?[29 CFR 1926.452(b)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Are building ties installed at the bearer levels between the transverse bracing? [29 CFR 1926.452(b)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
On straight run scaffolds, is longitudinal bracing across the inner and outer rows of posts installeddiagonally in both directions? Does bracingextend from the base of the end posts upward tothe top of the scaffold at approximately a 45º angle?[29 CFR 1926.452(b)(3)] Note: On scaffolds whose length is greater thantheir height, such bracing must be repeatedbeginning at least at every 5th post. On scaffoldswhose length is less than their height, suchbracing must be installed from the base of the end posts upward to the opposite end posts, andthen in alternating directions until reaching thetop of the scaffold. Bracing must be installed asclose as possible to the intersection of thebearer and post or runner and post.	Y   N   N/A
If bracing cannot be attached to posts, is it attached to the runners as close to the postas possible?[29 CFR 1926.452(b)(4)]	Y   N   N/A
Are bearers installed transversely between posts? When coupled to the posts, does the inboardcoupler bear directly on the runner coupler? [29 CFR 1926.452(b)(5)] Note: When the bearers are coupled to therunners, the couplers must be as close to theposts as possible.	Y   N   N/A
Do bearers extend beyond the posts and runners, and provide full contact with the coupler?[29 CFR 1926.452(b)(6)]	Y   N   N/A
Are runners installed along the length of the scaffold, on both the inside and outsideposts at level heights?[29 CFR 1926.452(b)(7)] Note: When tube and coupler guardrails andmidrails are used on outside posts, they may beused in place of outside runners.	Y   N   N/A
Are runners interlocked on straight runs to form continuous lengths, and coupled to each post?[29 CFR 1926.452(b)(8)] Note: Install bottom runners and bearers asclose to the base as possible.	Y   N   N/A
Are couplers made of structural metal, such as drop-forged steel, malleable iron, or structuralgrade aluminum?[29 CFR 1926.452(b)(9)] Note: The use of gray case iron is prohibited.	Y   N   N/A
Fabricated Frame Scaffolds
When moving platforms to the next level, are existing platforms left undisturbed until the newend frames have been set in place and braced? [29 CFR 1926.452(c)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
Are frames and panels braced by cross, horizontal, or diagonal braces (or combinations thereof), tosecure vertical members together laterally? [29 CFR 1926.452(c)(2)] Note: The cross braces shall be long enough toautomatically square and align vertical membersso that the erected scaffold is plumb, level, andsquare. All brace connections must be secured.	Y   N   N/A
Are frames and panels joined together vertically by coupling or stacking pins or equivalent means?[29 CFR 1926.452(c)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
Are frames and panels locked together vertically by pins or equivalent means at points where upliftcould displace scaffold end frames or panels? [29 CFR 1926.452(c)(4)]	Y   N   N/A
Bricklayers' Square Scaffolds
Are wood scaffolds reinforced with gussets on both sides of each corner? [29 CFR 1926.452(e)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
Are diagonal braces installed on all sides of each square? [29 CFR 1926.452(e)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Are diagonal braces installed between squares on the rear and front sides of the scaffold, and do theyextend from the bottom of each square to the top of the next square?[29 CFR 1926.452(e)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
Are scaffolds three tiers or less in height? Are they constructed so that one square rests directly abovethe other?[29 CFR 1926.452(e)(4)] Note: The upper tiers shall stand on a continuousrow of planks laid across the next lower tier, andshall be nailed down or otherwise secured toprevent displacement.	Y   N   N/A
Horse Scaffolds
Are scaffolds less than 10 high? Are they two tiers high or less? [29 CFR 1926.452(f)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
When horses are arranged in tiers, is each horse place directly over the horse in the tier below?[29 CFR 1926.452(f)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
When horses are arranged in tiers, are the legs of each horse nailed down or otherwise secured toprevent displacement?[29 CFR 1926.452(f)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
When horses are arranged in tiers, is each tier crossbraced? [29 CFR 1926.452(f)(4)]	Y   N   N/A
Ladder Jack Scaffolds
Are all ladder jack scaffolds 20 feet or less above the ground? [29 CFR 1926.452(k)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
Are ladders that are used to support ladder jack scaffolds in compliance with OSHA regulations (seesubpart X of this part)? - Stairways and Ladders. [29 CFR 1926.452(k)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
Are ladder jacks designed and constructed so that they will bear on the side rails in addition tothe ladder rungs?[29 CFR 1926.452(k)(3)] Note: If bearing on rungs only, the bearing areashall be at least 10 inches on each rung.	Y   N   N/A
Are ladders that are used to support ladder jacks placed, fastened, or equipped with devices toprevent slipping?[29 CFR 1926.452(k)(4)]	Y   N   N/A
Is it prohibited to bridge scaffold platforms one to another? [29 CFR 1926.452(k)(5)]	Y   N   N/A
Training Requirements
Are workers trained to recognize the hazards associated with the type of scaffold used and to understand theprocedures to control or minimize those hazards?[29 CFR 1926.454(a)] Note: Consult the OSHA regulations for the specifictraining areas that must be covered.	Y   N   N/A
Are trainers qualified in the subject matter? [29 CFR 1926.454(a)]	Y   N   N/A
Are workers who erect, disassemble, move, operate, repair, maintain, or inspect a scaffold trained torecognize hazards associated with the work? [29 CFR 1926.454(b)] Note: Consult the OSHA regulations for thespecific training areas that must be covered.	Y   N   N/A
Are trainers who train the workers mentioned in question 74 competent? [29 CFR 1926.454(b)]	Y   N   N/A
Are workers retrained when they show a lack of skills or understanding needed for safe work involvingerecting, using or dismantling scaffolds? [29 CFR 1926.454(c)]	Y   N   N/A

 
Definitions:
 

Bearer (putlog): a horizontal transverse scaffold member supported by ledgers or runners. The scaffold platform rests on the bearer, and the bearer joins scaffold uprights, posts, poles, and similar members.

Brace:a rigid connection that holds one scaffold member in a fixed position with respect to another member, or to a building or structure.

Competent person: one who can identify hazards in the work area or conditions that are unsanitary, hazardous, or dangerous, and who has the authority to take prompt corrective measures to eliminate them.

Coupler: a device for locking together the tubes of a tube and coupler scaffold.

Gusset: a metal plate used for connections.

Personal fall arrest system: a system used to stop an employee's fall. It consists of an anchorage, connectors, a body belt or body harness, and may include a lanyard, deceleration device, lifeline, or combinations of these.

Lifeline: a component consisting of a flexible line that connects to an anchorage at one end to hang vertically (vertical lifeline), or that connects to anchorages at both ends to stretch horizontally (horizontal lifeline). The lifeline serves connects other components of a personal fall arrest system to the anchorage.

Qualified: a person who, by a recognized degree, certificate, or professional standing; or by extensive knowledge, training, and experience, has successfully demonstrated an ability to solve problems related to a subject matter, work, or project.

Runner (ledger or ribbon): the lengthwise horizontal spacing or bracing member that support the bearers.

Supported scaffold: one or more platforms supported by outrigger beams, brackets, poles, legs, uprights, posts, frames, or similar rigid support.

Alarm Systems and Evacuation Plans Self-Inspection Checklist

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Alarm Systems and Evacuation Plans Self-Inspection Checklist

Guidelines: This checklist covers regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under 29 CFR 1910.164, 1910.165 and 1910.38. It applies to fire detection and alarm systems and to fire and emergency action plans. The regulations cited apply only to private employers and their employees, unless adopted by a State agency and applied to other groups such as public employees. The OSHA code for emergency action and fire prevention plans under 1910.38 is comprehensive and covers emergencies other than fires. The ideal fire and emergency action plan, however, should include all the requirements. Fire alarm and detection systems installed in full compliance with existing building codes may not have to be upgraded to meet existing code regulations. Detailed annual testing requirements of automatic and manual fire alarm systems and fire detection systems have not be included in this checklist. Please consult 29 CFR 1910.164, 1910.165 and 5:18-3.4(c)6 and (c)8 for additional details.

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1.    Is your facility equipped with a manual fire alarm system?[recommended]	Y   N   N/A
2.    Is your facility equipped with an automatic fire alarm systemactivated by fire or smoke detectors? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
3.    Are manual fire alarms provided in the natural path of escapefor areas that serve 50 or more persons? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
4.    Is the distance to any manual fire alarm no more than 200feet of unobstructed horizontal distance on the same floor?[recommended]	Y   N   N/A
5.    Is a smoke or heat detector located in each room?[recommended]	Y   N   N/A
6.    Is the detector paint free, unobscured, and unobstructed?[recommended]	Y   N   N/A
7.    Is disabling, tampering, or interfering with fire detectors andthe fire alarm system prohibited? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
8.    Are fire drills conducted at least once a month?[recommended]	Y   N   N/A
9.    Are records maintained on each fire drill including the(a) date of the drill, (b) time of the drill, (c) weatherconditions, (d) number of occupants evacuated, and (e) totaltime for evacuation? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
10.  Are all building occupants evacuated in each fire drill?[recommended]	Y   N   N/A
11.  Are all alarm and fire-detection systems maintained inoperating condition except when undergoing repair ormaintenance? [29 CFR 1910.164(c)(1) and 1910.165(d)(1)]	Y   N   N/A
12.  Is the servicing, maintenance, and testing of fire-detectionsystems (including cleaning and necessary sensitivityadjustments) performed only by people trained in theoperation and function of the system?[29 CFR 1910.164(c)(4)]	Y   N   N/A
13.  Are fire detectors cleaned of dirt, dust, or other particulatesat regular periodic intervals? [29 CFR 1910.164(c)(5)]	Y   N   N/A
14.  Are fire-detection systems that are installed outdoors orin corrosive atmospheres protected from corrosion?[29 CFR 1910.164(d)(1)] Note: A canopy, hood, or other suitable protection mustbe provided.	Y   N   N/A
15.  Is fire-detection equipment protected from mechanical orphysical impact that might render it inoperable?[29 CFR 1910.164(d)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
16.  Has an approved fire safety plan been distributed to allbuilding occupants? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
17.  Does the approved fire safety plan include (a) the location ofthe nearest exits and fire alarms, (b) the procedures to befollowed when a smoke or fire alarm sounds, and (c) theprocedures to be followed in the event of fire or smoke? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
18.  Is the evacuation plan conspicuously posted on every floorfor the occupants' use? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
19.  Is the evacuation plan maintained to reflect changes in theuse and arrangement of the building? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
20.  Are all teachers trained in the duties they are to performunder the evacuation plan? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
21.  Are all occupants familiar with the location of the nearest firealarm manual pull station? [recommended]	Y   N   N/A
22.  Can the alarm be perceived above ambient noise or lightlevels by everyone in the area? [29 CFR 1910.165(b)(2)]	Y   N   N/A
23.  Are alarms distinctive and recognizable as a signal toevacuate the building or to perform actions designated underthe emergency action plan? [29 CFR 1910.165(b)(3)]	Y   N   N/A
24.  Are manually operated actuation devices that are used inconjunction with alarm systems unobstructed, conspicuous,and readily accessible? [29 CFR 1910.165(e)]	Y   N   N/A
25.  Is a written fire prevention plan available that includes thefollowing items? [29 CFR 1910.38(a)(2)]   ·         Emergency escape procedures, signals, and routes  ·         Procedures for designated employees who must remain in the facility to shut down equipment before they evacuate  ·         Procedures to account for all building occupants  ·         Rescue and medical duties  ·         Preferred mechanisms for building occupants toreport emergencies  ·         Names and job titles of people who can be contactedfor more information regarding evacuation plans	Y   N   N/A
26.  Is a written fire prevention plan available that includes thefollowing items? [29 CFR 1910.38(b)(2)]    ·         A list of major fire hazards and their proper handlingand storage procedures  ·         Potential ignition sources (such as welding andsmoking) and their control procedures  ·         The type of fire protection equipment or systems thatcan control a fire  ·         The names and titles of personnel responsible formaintaining equipment and systems installed toprevent or control ignitions or fires  ·         The names and titles of personnel responsible forcontrol of fuel-source hazards  ·         Housekeeping procedures as they relate to preventing the accumulation of flammable and combustible waste materials	Y   N   N/A
27.  Are the written emergency and fire prevention plans madeavailable to building occupants for review?[29 CFR 1910.38(a)(5)(iii) and (b)(4)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A
28.  Has training been provided to designated employees to helpwith the safe and orderly emergency evacuation of allbuilding occupants? [29 CFR 1910.38(a)(5)(i)]	Y   N   N/A
29.  Has the emergency and fire prevention plan been reviewedwith all new and current building occupants?[29 CFR 1910.38(a)(5)(ii) and (b)(4)(ii)]	Y   N   N/A

Comments/Corrective action:
 
 

EHSQ RELATED ARTICLES ATTACHED PDF

November 17, 2015, 7:41 am

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With best regards,
"Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care."
(2015)

Dr. AMAR NATH GIRI

EHSQ , NFCL
M.Sc. -Environmental Science,Ph.D -Environmental Science law& DIPLOMA AS - P.G.D.E.P.L,CES, DCA,
EX IIM LUCKNOW FELLOW, EX RESEARCH SCIENTIST
IGIDR-MUMBAI 
9912511918
amarnathgiri@nagarjunagroup.com
http://www.nagarjunagroup.com
http://www.nagarjunafertilizers.com 

EHSQ BLOG : http://dramarnathgiri.blogspot.in/?view=magazine
http://dramarnathgiri.blogspot.in/2013/10/curriculum-vitae-of-dr-amar-nath-giri.html?q=BIO+DATA
http://dramarnathgiri.blogspot.in/2012/05/nagarjuna-management-services.html

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Amar Giri<goswami248@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 1:57 PM
Subject: EHSQ RELATED ARTICLES
To: raghavan <raghavan@nagarjunagroup.com>, PCmohan <PCmohan@nagarjunagroup.com>, varaju <varaju@nagarjunagroup.com>
Cc: amarnathgiri <amarnathgiri@nagarjunagroup.com>


Dear Sir,

Wish you a very good afternoon , I am attaching some important articles of Dr Sukumaran Nair, IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO OUR PLANT  ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, SAFETY IMPROVEMENT, QUALITY UNDER YOUR VISIONARY GUIDANCE. IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO writing paper & articles to  ALL CONCERN AUTHORITIES FOR improvement of  PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP QUALITY.

--
with best regards,
(2012)
AMAR

EHSQ RELATED ARTICLES

Dear Sir,

Wish you a very good afternoon , I am attaching some important articles of Dr Sukumaran Nair, IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO OUR PLANT  ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, SAFETY IMPROVEMENT, QUALITY UNDER YOUR VISIONARY GUIDANCE. IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO writing paper & articles to  ALL CONCERN AUTHORITIES FOR improvement of  PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP QUALITY.

11 Attachments

Preview attachment Contro.pdf

Preview attachment drmp2.pdf

Preview attachment drmpfile1.pdf

Preview attachment Environment.pdf

Preview attachment Hazard.pdf

Preview attachment HP0805.pdf

Preview attachment Nitrogen.pdf

Preview attachment Re-evaluate_your_systems_for_hazardous_material_storage.pdf

Preview attachment Shiftpdgms2006.pdf

Preview attachment Updates_on_process_safety_systems.pdf

Preview attachment Use.pdf

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Amar Giri<goswami248@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 1:57 PM
Subject: EHSQ RELATED ARTICLES
To: raghavan <raghavan@nagarjunagroup.com>, PCmohan <PCmohan@nagarjunagroup.com>, varaju <varaju@nagarjunagroup.com>
Cc: amarnathgiri <amarnathgiri@nagarjunagroup.com>


Dear Sir,

Wish you a very good afternoon , I am attaching some important articles of Dr Sukumaran Nair, IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO OUR PLANT  ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, SAFETY IMPROVEMENT, QUALITY UNDER YOUR VISIONARY GUIDANCE. IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO writing paper & articles to  ALL CONCERN AUTHORITIES FOR improvement of  PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP QUALITY.

--
with best regards,
(2012)
AMAR

--
with best regards,
(2011)
AMAR

11 Attachments

Preview attachment Contro.pdf

Preview attachment drmp2.pdf

Preview attachment drmpfile1.pdf

Preview attachment Environment.pdf

Preview attachment Hazard.pdf

Preview attachment HP0805.pdf

Preview attachment Nitrogen.pdf

Preview attachment Re-evaluate_your_systems_for_hazardous_material_storage.pdf

Preview attachment Shiftpdgms2006.pdf

Preview attachment Updates_on_process_safety_systems.pdf

Preview attachment Use.pdf

With best regards,
(2015)

Dr. AMAR NATH GIRI

EHSQ , NFCL
M.Sc. -Environmental Science,Ph.D -Environmental Science law& DIPLOMA AS - P.G.D.E.P.L,CES, DCA,
EX IIM LUCKNOW FELLOW, EX RESEARCH SCIENTIST
IGIDR-MUMBAI 
9912511918
amarnathgiri@nagarjunagroup.com
http://www.nagarjunagroup.com
http://www.nagarjunafertilizers.com 

EHSQ BLOG : http://dramarnathgiri.blogspot.in/?view=magazine
http://dramarnathgiri.blogspot.in/2013/10/curriculum-vitae-of-dr-amar-nath-giri.html?q=BIO+DATA
http://dramarnathgiri.blogspot.in/2012/05/nagarjuna-management-services.html

11 Attachments

Preview attachment Contro.pdf

Preview attachment drmp2.pdf

Preview attachment drmpfile1.pdf

Preview attachment Environment.pdf

Preview attachment Hazard.pdf

Preview attachment HP0805.pdf

Preview attachment Nitrogen.pdf

Preview attachment Re-evaluate_your_systems_for_hazardous_material_storage.pdf

Preview attachment Shiftpdgms2006.pdf

Preview attachment Updates_on_process_safety_systems.pdf

Preview attachment Use.pdf

With best regards,
"Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care."
(2015)

Dr. AMAR NATH GIRI

11 Attachments

Preview attachment Contro.pdf

Preview attachment drmp2.pdf

Preview attachment drmpfile1.pdf

Preview attachment Environment.pdf

Preview attachment Hazard.pdf

Preview attachment HP0805.pdf

Preview attachment Nitrogen.pdf

Preview attachment Re-evaluate_your_systems_for_hazardous_material_storage.pdf

Preview attachment Shiftpdgms2006.pdf

Preview attachment Updates_on_process_safety_systems.pdf

Preview attachment Use.pdf

Inbox

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Personal

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Amar Giri<goswami248@gmail.com>

10/1/12

to raghavan, PCmohan, varaju, amarnathgiri

To

With best regards, "Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care." (2015) Dr. AMAR NATH GIRI EHSQ , NFCL M.Sc. -Environmental Science,Ph.D -Environmental Science law& DIPLOMA AS - P.G.D.E.P.L,CES, DCA, EX IIM LUCKNOW FELLOW, EX RESEARCH SCIENTIST IGIDR-MUMBAI  9912511918 amarnathgiri@nagarjunagroup.com http://www.nagarjunagroup.com http://www.nagarjunafertilizers.com  EHSQ BLOG : http://dramarnathgiri.blogspot.in/?view=magazine http://dramarnathgiri.blogspot.in/2013/10/curriculum-vitae-of-dr-amar-nath-giri.html?q=BIO+DATA http://dramarnathgiri.blogspot.in/2012/05/nagarjuna-management-services.html ---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Amar Giri<goswami248@gmail.com> Date: Mon, Oct 1, 2012 at 1:57 PM Subject: EHSQ RELATED ARTICLES To: raghavan <raghavan@nagarjunagroup.com>, PCmohan <PCmohan@nagarjunagroup.com>, varaju <varaju@nagarjunagroup.com> Cc: amarnathgiri <amarnathgiri@nagarjunagroup.com> Dear Sir, Wish you a very good afternoon , I am attaching some important articles of Dr Sukumaran Nair, IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO OUR PLANT  ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH, SAFETY IMPROVEMENT, QUALITY UNDER YOUR VISIONARY GUIDANCE. IT WILL BE HELPFUL TO writing paper & articles to  ALL CONCERN AUTHORITIES FOR improvement of  PRODUCT STEWARDSHIP QUALITY. -- with best regards, (2012) AMAR Contro.pdf (183K) drmp2.pdf (106K) drmpfile1.pdf (204K) Environment.pdf (136K) Hazard.pdf (416K) HP0805.pdf (319K) Nitrogen.pdf (224K) Re-evaluate_your_systems_for_hazardous_material_storage.pdf (160K) Shiftpdgms2006.pdf (125K) Updates_on_process_safety_systems.pdf (164K) Use.pdf (92K)

Amar Giri<goswami248@gmail.com>

12/16/12

to me

Amar Giri<goswami248@gmail.com>

Feb 18

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Weather Report and Forecast For: Kakinada Dated :Nov 17, 2015

November 17, 2015, 9:09 am

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Local Weather Report and Forecast For: Kakinada    Dated :Nov 17, 2015

	Past 24 Hours Weather Data Maximum Temp(oC) 27.2 Departure from Normal(oC) -4 Minimum Temp (oC) 19.4 Departure from Normal(oC) -3 24 Hours Rainfall (mm) 20.8 Todays Sunset (IST) 17:26 Tommorows Sunrise (IST) 06:07 Moonset (IST) 22:23 Moonrise (IST) 10:38
Today's Forecast:Sky condition would be Generally cloudy. One or two spells of Rain or Thundershowers at times heavy would occur. Maximum & Minimum temperatures would be around 26 and 19 deg.cel respectively.
Date Temperature ( o C ) Weather Forecast Minimum Maximum 18-Nov 19.0 27.0 Mainly or Generally cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 19-Nov 20.0 28.0 Mainly or Generally cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 20-Nov 21.0 28.0 Mainly or Generally cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 21-Nov 21.0 29.0 Partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 22-Nov 22.0 29.0 Partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm 23-Nov 22.0 30.0 Partly cloudy sky with possibility of rain or Thunderstorm

      INDIA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT 
                                    NWP MODELS BASED DISTRICT LEVEL WEATHER PREDICTION          
                                               ISSUED ON:  17-11-2015
                                        VALID TILL 08:30 IST  OF THE NEXT 5 DAYS

 DISTRICT :  EAST-GODAVARI                                                  STATE :  ANDRA-PRADESH    
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
    PARAMETERS                                            ENSEMBLE FCST   
                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              DAY-1               DAY-2               DAY-3               DAY-4               DAY-5
                              18/11               19/11               20/11               21/11               22/11
------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Rainfall (mm)                  48                  13                   7                   0                   0
Max Temperature ( deg C)       20                  20                  27                  29                  28
Min Temperature ( deg C)       18                  18                  15                  13                  13
Total cloud cover (octa)        8                   8                   6                   2                   1
Max Relative Humidity (%)      94                  92                  80                  81                  83
Min Relative Humidity (%)      85                  85                  58                  44                  42
Wind speed (kmph)             013                 010                 010                 008                 007
Wind direction (deg)           57                  45                  59                  50                  50
------------------ ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- -------------------

 NOTE: -99.0 ........ NO DATA 

18.11.2015
FORECAST

ime	Temp.	Feels Like	Dew Point	Humidity	Conditions		Precip.	Liquid Precip.	Wind	Cloud Cover	Pressure
12:00 am	24 °C	24 °C	21 °C	83%		Overcast	24%	0 mm	16 km/h NE	100%	1011hPa
1:00 am	23 °C	23 °C	21 °C	87%		Overcast	24%	0 mm	23 km/h NE	99%	1011hPa
2:00 am	23 °C	23 °C	21 °C	88%		Chance of Rain	47%	0 mm	23 km/h NE	99%	1010hPa
3:00 am	24 °C	24 °C	21 °C	85%		Chance of Rain	50%	0 mm	14 km/h NE	98%	1010hPa
4:00 am	23 °C	23 °C	21 °C	88%		Chance of Rain	46%	0 mm	23 km/h NE	98%	1010hPa
5:00 am	23 °C	24 °C	21 °C	87%		Chance of Rain	49%	0 mm	23 km/h NE	99%	1010hPa
6:00 am	23 °C	24 °C	21 °C	92%		Chance of Rain	49%	0 mm	14 km/h NE	99%	1011hPa
7:00 am	24 °C	26 °C	22 °C	86%		Chance of Rain	50%	0 mm	23 km/h NE	97%	1012hPa
8:00 am	24 °C	27 °C	22 °C	85%		Chance of Rain	53%	1 mm	24 km/h NE	97%	1012hPa
9:00 am	23 °C	24 °C	22 °C	97%		Chance of Rain	63%	1 mm	14 km/h NE	97%	1013hPa
10:00 am	25 °C	28 °C	22 °C	84%		Chance of Rain	64%	1 mm	26 km/h NE	96%	1013hPa
11:00 am	25 °C	28 °C	22 °C	84%		Chance of Rain	64%	1 mm	27 km/h NE	96%	1013hPa
12:00 pm	26 °C	29 °C	23 °C	85%		Chance of Rain	62%	1 mm	16 km/h NE	87%	1012hPa
1:00 pm	24 °C	27 °C	22 °C	86%		Chance of Rain	62%	1 mm	26 km/h ENE	87%	1011hPa
2:00 pm	24 °C	27 °C	22 °C	88%		Chance of Rain	63%	1 mm	26 km/h ENE	93%	1011hPa
3:00 pm	27 °C	31 °C	23 °C	80%		Chance of Rain	61%	1 mm	14 km/h NE	91%	1011hPa
4:00 pm	24 °C	27 °C	22 °C	89%		Chance of Rain	59%	0 mm	24 km/h NE	88%	1011hPa
5:00 pm	24 °C	26 °C	22 °C	90%		Chance of Rain	51%	0 mm	24 km/h NE	86%	1011hPa
6:00 pm	26 °C	29 °C	23 °C	81%		Chance of Rain	39%	0 mm	16 km/h NE	84%	1012hPa
7:00 pm	24 °C	27 °C	22 °C	91%		Chance of Rain	39%	0 mm	26 km/h NE	82%	1013hPa
8:00 pm	24 °C	27 °C	22 °C	90%		Chance of Rain	39%	0 mm	26 km/h NE	80%	1014hPa
9:00 pm	26 °C	29 °C	23 °C	83%		Mostly Cloudy	23%	0 mm	18 km/h NE	77%	1014hPa
10:00 pm	24 °C	27 °C	22 °C	90%		Mostly Cloudy	23%	0 mm	24 km/h NE	78%	1014hPa
11:00 pm	24 °C	27 °C	22 °C	89%		Mostly Cloudy	23%	0 mm	23 km/h NE	76%	1014hPa

Source: Weather Underground BestForecast

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

	Actual	Average	Record
Temperature
Mean Temperature	20 °C	-
Max Temperature	21 °C	-	- ()
Min Temperature	19 °C	-	- ()
Cooling Degree Days	3
Growing Degree Days	18 (Base 50)
Moisture
Dew Point	20 °C
Average Humidity	86
Maximum Humidity	92
Minimum Humidity	65
Precipitation
Precipitation	0.0 mm	-	- ()
Sea Level Pressure
Sea Level Pressure	1010.00 hPa
Wind
Wind Speed	7 km/h ()
Max Wind Speed	15 km/h
Max Gust Speed	-
Visibility	4.9 kilometers
Events	Rain

T = Trace of Precipitation, MM = Missing Value

Source: Averaged Metar Reports

Daily Weather History Graph

Month of November, 2015

	Max	Avg	Min	Sum
Temperature
Max Temperature	32 °C	30 °C	21 °C
Mean Temperature	28 °C	26 °C	20 °C
Min Temperature	26 °C	23 °C	19 °C
Degree Days
Heating Degree Days (base 65)	0	0	0	0
Cooling Degree Days (base 65)	18	15	3	250
Growing Degree Days (base 50)	33	30	18	504
Dew Point
Dew Point	26 °C	23 °C	11 °C
Precipitation
Precipitation	3.0 mm	0.3 mm	0.0 mm	4.40 mm
Snowdepth	-	-	-	-
Wind
Wind	15 km/h	4 km/h	0 km/h
Gust Wind	-	-	-
Sea Level Pressure
Sea Level Pressure	1015 hPa	1012 hPa	1008 hPa

Monthly Weather History Graph

Supreme Court Guidelines For School Bus Services

November 18, 2015, 5:34 am

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Supreme Court Guidelines For School Bus Services

In a tragic accident, 11 kids, all under eight years of age, were killed, and 17 other schoolchildren injured, when the minibus they were in collided with a truck in dense fog early on Monday morning.

The mishap took place near Behta village in Ambala district. The driver of the minibus, Subhash, too, was killed on the spot.
The kids were students of primary classes in Arjun Public School, Behta, and were packed like sardines in the van giving them little room to extricate themselves after the mishap.

Supreme Court Guidelines for school bus services:

Hon’ble Supreme Court of India, has laid down certain guidelines to be followed by the enforcement and educational authorities with regard to safety of school buses carrying children.

To comply with these directions the guidelines have been incorporated in permits issued to school buses by State Transport Authority, U.T., Chandigarh. The Challaning Officers of State Transport Authority are enforcing these guidelines by carrying out checking of school buses from time to time. State Transport Authority, U.T., Chandigarh has reiterated these guidelines and has issued instructions to all the Principals of Government & Private School, Association of School Bus Operators and Association of the Private Schools. They have been advised to comply with the directions regarding school buses in letter and spirit keeping in view the safety of school going children.

The gist of the guidelines is summarized below:-

1. School buses should be painted yellow.
2. School Bus must be written on the back and front of the bus. IF it is hired bus, “on School Duty” should be clearly indicated.
3. Bus should have a First Aid Box.
4. Bus should be fitted with speed governor of specified standard.
5. The windows of Bus should be fitted with horizontal grills.
6. There should be a fire extinguisher in the Bus.
7. School Name & Telephone No. must be written on the Bus.
8. The doors of the Bus should be fitted with reliable locks.
9. To keep the school bags safely, there should be a space fitted under the seats.
10. There must be a qualified attendant in the Bus to attend to Children.
11. Any parent or guardian sitting in the bus or a teacher may also travel to ensure these safety norms.
12. The driver should have at least 5 years of experience of driving heavy vehicles.
13. A driver who has been challaned more than twice in a year for offences like red light jumping, violation of lane discipline or allowing unauthorized person to driver cannot be employed.
14. A driver who has been challaned even once for the offence of over speeding, drunken driving and dangerous driving etc. cannot be employed.

As per Section 2(47) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 an educational institution bus is a transport vehicle and therefore requires a permit to ply on the road. Being a transport vehicle it would also need to undergo mandatory fitness test every year without which the permit cannot be renewed.

They have been advised that the drivers of the school buses are required to maintain traffic discipline. Any lapse on this account will invite stern action against the defaulters or violators of above instructions & will be challaned or prosecuted accordingly.