With their often-inaccurate predictions, the government’s weathermen don’t have a particularly favourable public image. But over the past month, as Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu reeled under the impact of its heaviest rainfall in nearly a century, the regional meteorological department has helped break this stereotype. Its reliable information and timely warnings have helped people in the cities and fishermen on the coast stock up on essential commodities and prepare for the worst.
There is one man in particular that Chennai has come to trust: a meteorological scientist named SR Ramanan. His official designation is Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai. But he is better known to people as the man who appears on their television screens and presents an accurate picture of what to expect weatherwise.
“I am just the face of the operations,” said Ramanan. “A number of departments collaborate and put together data. I only make observations and present it to the media.”
Ramanan has been in the job for more than three decades and has been appearing on television channels since 2002 to deliver weather forecasts. But over the last month, he’s become somewhat of a cult hero. He has a dedicated Wikipedia page as well as a fan page and fake profile on Facebook. Chennai’s large student population are his biggest fans.
'Rain Ramanan'
As heavy rain hit the state in early November, the Tamil Nadu government decided to close schools and colleges for two weeks, forcing exams in these institutions to be postponed. Many believed it was Ramanan’s warnings that prompted the government’s decision. He thus became christened the “Student’s God”, and dedicated Facebook pages followed. Between them, two pages have more than 50,000 likes. Nicknames such as “Rain Ramanan” “Rain God” “Cyclone King” have been added since then.
“I started the fan page a month ago after the exams were cancelled,” said the creator of the Ramanan Fans Club page on Facebook. He did not wish to be identified.
“He is the spokesperson for Varuna bhagwan,” said Ramesh Mallikarjun, a Chennai resident, alluding to the Hindu god of water.
The fan pages were initially filled with memes and humorous posts about Ramanan. But the content has dramatically changed over the past few days. With heavy rains triggering floods in the region this week, the memes have been replaced with warnings, forecasts, helpline numbers and other useful information for the state's stranded inhabitants.
“I am not aware that they are putting up this information in my name, but I am happy if people are being helped as a result,” Ramanan said in a phone interview.
Committed to the cause
The floods have affected him as well, with water inundating his neighbourhood of West Mambalam in Chennai. Even so, he has not missed a day of work this week. “I am part of what is happening [the floods]. But the people need to be warned and we need to instill confidence in them,” he said.
Ramanan remembers an equally dire situation around 2005, but feels the the marked difference this time round is the breakdown of communication channels. “With mobile and landline networks down, it has been very difficult to keep in touch and find out about the well-being of friends and relatives,” he said.
He thinks the worst is over in Chennai, but heavy rain could hit other parts of the state as December progresses.
As for his newfound celebrity status, Ramanan merely shrugs it off.
“I don’t pay much attention to it. But what I do appreciate is that people treat me like a member of the family and I think that is important as it helps build credibility,” Ramanan, who is set to retire in four months time, said.
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There is one man in particular that Chennai has come to trust: a meteorological scientist named SR Ramanan. His official designation is Director, Area Cyclone Warning Centre, Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai. But he is better known to people as the man who appears on their television screens and presents an accurate picture of what to expect weatherwise.
“I am just the face of the operations,” said Ramanan. “A number of departments collaborate and put together data. I only make observations and present it to the media.”
Ramanan has been in the job for more than three decades and has been appearing on television channels since 2002 to deliver weather forecasts. But over the last month, he’s become somewhat of a cult hero. He has a dedicated Wikipedia page as well as a fan page and fake profile on Facebook. Chennai’s large student population are his biggest fans.
'Rain Ramanan'
As heavy rain hit the state in early November, the Tamil Nadu government decided to close schools and colleges for two weeks, forcing exams in these institutions to be postponed. Many believed it was Ramanan’s warnings that prompted the government’s decision. He thus became christened the “Student’s God”, and dedicated Facebook pages followed. Between them, two pages have more than 50,000 likes. Nicknames such as “Rain Ramanan” “Rain God” “Cyclone King” have been added since then.
“I started the fan page a month ago after the exams were cancelled,” said the creator of the Ramanan Fans Club page on Facebook. He did not wish to be identified.
“He is the spokesperson for Varuna bhagwan,” said Ramesh Mallikarjun, a Chennai resident, alluding to the Hindu god of water.
The fan pages were initially filled with memes and humorous posts about Ramanan. But the content has dramatically changed over the past few days. With heavy rains triggering floods in the region this week, the memes have been replaced with warnings, forecasts, helpline numbers and other useful information for the state's stranded inhabitants.
“I am not aware that they are putting up this information in my name, but I am happy if people are being helped as a result,” Ramanan said in a phone interview.
Committed to the cause
The floods have affected him as well, with water inundating his neighbourhood of West Mambalam in Chennai. Even so, he has not missed a day of work this week. “I am part of what is happening [the floods]. But the people need to be warned and we need to instill confidence in them,” he said.
Ramanan remembers an equally dire situation around 2005, but feels the the marked difference this time round is the breakdown of communication channels. “With mobile and landline networks down, it has been very difficult to keep in touch and find out about the well-being of friends and relatives,” he said.
He thinks the worst is over in Chennai, but heavy rain could hit other parts of the state as December progresses.
As for his newfound celebrity status, Ramanan merely shrugs it off.
“I don’t pay much attention to it. But what I do appreciate is that people treat me like a member of the family and I think that is important as it helps build credibility,” Ramanan, who is set to retire in four months time, said.
Source: Facebook
