Mysterious Object in Mangaluru Village Sparks Panic, Identified as IMD's GPS Sonde
Residents of a remote village near Dharmasthala in Mangaluru district experienced a brief moment of panic on Saturday when a strange aerial object with foreign markings landed in an agricultural field near the Puthila post office. The unusual sight prompted locals to immediately alert the police, fearing it might be something hazardous or suspicious.
IMD Scientist Clarifies the Object's Identity
Assurance quickly came from Sajeev R, a scientist at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) in Mangaluru, who confirmed that the object was a GPS Sonde. This is a routine meteorological instrument released daily for upper-air observations as part of standard weather monitoring practices.
Sajeev explained the process: "A GPS Sonde is released around 4.30 am from the Mangaluru Doppler Weather Radar station, using a weather balloon filled with hydrogen gas. It collects vital data on upper-air temperature, humidity, wind direction, wind speed, and other atmospheric parameters. Such information is crucial for various sectors, including aviation, military operations, and general atmospheric activities."
Why the Object Landed in the Village
According to IMD officials, after completing its observation cycle, the instrument typically descends and may land either in the Arabian Sea or on land. On this particular Saturday, it fell on farmland near Dharmasthala, which alarmed residents who noticed the device carrying a sticker that read ‘Malaysian Met Department’.
Sajeev clarified this point: "The equipment is imported and still carries the original sticker from the manufacturer, but it is fully owned and operated by the IMD. There is absolutely no need for the public to panic. It is not harmful and contains only a battery, sensors, and GPS equipment."
He did, however, issue a caution: "If the balloon reaches a leaking stage, people should stay away from it as a safety precaution."
Recovery Efforts and Public Advisory
The GPS Sonde is designed as a one-time-use instrument and is usually not retrieved after its mission. However, in this instance, after police alerted the IMD, scientific assistant Karan Singh travelled nearly 90 kilometers to collect the equipment from the village.
IMD has issued an advisory to the public: They urge people not to panic if similar instruments are found in the future, emphasizing that these are standard tools for weather data collection and pose no threat when handled properly.
This incident highlights the importance of public awareness regarding meteorological activities and the routine nature of such instruments in India's weather monitoring infrastructure.
