Kathmandu, April 6

Experts and government officials say that it is highly unlikely to ensure alert system to warn of a tornado, as it forms immediately and lasts for few minutes. However, since such a phenomenon is followed by unusual thunderstorms, hailstorm and rainfall one can be prepared for the fallout.

Madan Lal Shrestha, former director general of the Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, said the government should ensure the safety of people, as the country is highly prone to disasters. ‘Since there is a perennial threat of disasters in the country, the government needs to adapt an early warning system about the disasters.”

Sarju Kumar Baidhya, DG of DoHM, said an alert for tornadoes could be sounded not more than 20 minutes before they struck. “With our limited technology and manpower, even that is not possible.”

The country’s Meteorological Forecasting Division was exposed a day after the twister struck Bara and Parsa when it claimed that the districts were hit by ‘a storm, along with rain.’ Compared to typhoons, cyclones and hurricanes, it is difficult to issue advance tornado warning, as it is not possible to pin-point where they will strike, say experts.