Business Wire India

Earth Networks today announced that Andhra Pradesh, the eighth largest state in India, has selected the Earth Networks Total Lightning Network^® solution to power a new state-wide weather network protecting residents across a region well-known for severe weather. The agreement was signed in the presence of the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Sri. Nara Chandrababu Naidu and the service and technologies were reviewed and approved by a committee of experts consisting of M.V. Seshagiri Babu, B.V. Skrikanth, P.V.R. Murthy, A. Kanungo and Professor S. Varadarajan.

More than 1,600 citizens died due to extreme weather conditions throughout India in 2016 alone, with flooding and lightning claiming the second highest percentage of weather-related deaths. Andhra Pradesh is the first state in India to adopt the full range of Earth Networks lightning detection capabilities, including advanced lightning detection, lightning sensors (for full state-wide geographic coverage), and dangerous thunderstorm alerts.

With over 1,500 sensors in more than 90 countries, Earth Networks Total Lightning Network is the most extensive and technologically-advanced lightning network in the world. Its ability to monitor in-cloud lightning enables forecasters to generate faster, localized storm alerts and warn of other forms of severe weather such as downbursts, heavy rains, and high winds – in turn setting it apart from other lightning networks. Lightning data from the network are fundamental to the real-time identification of thunderstorm occurrence, location, coverage, intensity and trends.

Andhra Pradesh government and disaster response agencies also gain access to a pair of Earth Networks' products that further aid the state in saving lives and reducing property damage that occurs due to severe weather, while helping sectors such as aviation, utilities, agriculture, education and insurance protect critical infrastructure.

• Sferic Maps – delivers real-time collaboration capabilities for users to make intelligent weather-related decisions and increase response planning lead time for severe weather events. Users can also receive customized mobile alerting for iOS and Android devices.

• PulseRad – delivers an advanced radar alternative able to provide an interactive map of convective weather occurring even in the most remote geographic areas where deployment, operation and maintenance of traditional radars are problematic.

"We commend Andhra Pradesh for being the first Indian state to recognize the critical role advanced lightning detection and alerts can play in saving lives and protecting critical infrastructure; an approach we believe can benefit the other 28 states of India that follow their lead," said Jim Anderson, SVP Global Sales, Earth Networks. "By collaborating with the state, as well as university researchers, significant opportunities exist going forward to strengthen severe weather forecasting."

"Cyclones, lightning, flooding and other forms of severe weather pose a serious threat to life and property for citizens in Andhra Pradesh," said M.V. Seshagiri Babu, Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Commissioner. "With this new technology we will be able to give our citizens earlier warnings and detailed information about severe weather to save lives and reduce property loss."

"After carefully reviewing all options for weather networks, Earth Networks was the clear choice, with superior lightning detection capabilities, flexible service options and excellent support. We look forward to the improvements this service will make to our emergency preparedness efforts," added B.V. Srikanth, Scientist at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Professor Varadarajan, Secretary of Andhra Pradesh State Council of Higher Education (APSCHE) said, "In addition to providing much-needed safety information, the new network will be an important source of data for universities and schools, supporting our students with research projects and instilling concepts of science, technology, engineering and mathematics by using real weather data from our region."

For more information on Earth Networks Total Lightning capabilities, visit https://www.earthnetworks.com/lightning/.

About Earth Networks

Earth Networks has been Taking the Pulse of the Planet® for more than 20 years. We help organizations mitigate financial, operational and human risk by providing environmental intelligence from the world's largest hyperlocal weather network. Schools, airports, sports teams, utilities and government agencies rely on our early warning solutions to safeguard lives, prepare for weather events and optimize operations. Companies across all industries use our weather data to automate decisions regarding risk management, business continuity and asset protection.

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