One-third of Tehran's weather forecast images are obscure as the main radar absorbs the sound waves meant to jam satellite signals from unauthorized foreign broadcasts, the head of Iran Meteorological Organization said.
Tehran's main weather forecasting radar is located in the new town of Parand, close to the capital. Davoud Parhizgar in a meeting with Ahmad Masjed-Jamei, Tehran City Council member, who was visiting the organization and Azadi Tower complex on Friday stated: "Not being able to predict the (severe) Tehran storm back in June was possibly the result of interference of sound waves and thus obscurity of the satellite weather images," IRNA reported.
He asserted that Iran meteorology forecast is on par with global standards and added "80% of the weather forecast broadcast by the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) is accurate; but part of it is prone to errors."
A wide range of weather forecast information is received online and processed by the organization every 24 hours. "The data requires processing based on the differences in meteorological phenomena," Parhizgar explained. He further said a major part of the dust haze in Tehran is due to irresponsible action like felling of trees. He noted that even trees within the meteorological organization were neglected and as a result had withered.
"Some green healthy trees were chopped as well due to the negligence of the contractor while using bulldozers to cut the dried trees," he pointed out.
Azadi Tower
Meanwhile, Ahmad Masjed-Jamei said, "the first weather forecast report of Tehran was prepared in 1919 by one Khalili."
He announced the allocation of $7,500,000 (200 billion rials) to restoring and renovating Azadi Tower and added that "special attention must be paid so that the structure is not damaged while being renovated."
Masjed-Jamei who visits a locality in the capital every week, referred to the tower entrance ceiling and said "this place is known as '4-soogh' (or 4-soo meaning four-sided entrance usually seen in old bazaars) and the municipality logo is inspired by this element in Iranian architecture."
He also said watering the six main small gardens of the complex had caused some destruction and damage to the monument and "the restoration operation itself has unfortunately caused further damage to this 40-year old precious structure." Masjed-Jamei, who is also member of the council's health and social services commission, said a Japanese company had signed a contract to restore Azadi Tower. The same company has taken up restoration of Vahdat Hall and Tehran City Theater, both located in downtown Tehran.
