The weather radar that detects extreme weather events exclusively for the Metropolitan Region of Campinas (RMC), operated at Unicamp, was remembered this Tuesday (14), during an event that marked the 50th anniversary of the Civil Defense of the State of São Paulo. In a ceremony held at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes, the rector of Unicamp, Paulo Cesar Montagner, received the Civil Defense Fiftieth Anniversary Medal, which recognizes the services of civil and military authorities and personalities for the protection of the population.
The center's mission is to monitor the formation of extreme weather events, generate around-the-clock alerts, and maintain the operation of the Disaster Warning Network. In addition, it is integrated with state and federal meteorological monitoring systems.
“This tribute is a consequence of the work that Unicamp develops through Cepagri (Center for Meteorological and Climatic Research Applied to Agriculture) and because of the various research projects that the University conducts in this area. Furthermore, it is a recognition of the great interaction that this type of action generates with the population of the city and the region,” said the rector at the end of the ceremony.
The government announced the allocation of R$ 110 million for eight more weather radars, in partnership with the University of São Paulo (USP) and SP Águas, expanding the capacity for forecasting and issuing alerts throughout the state of São Paulo. Guarujá, Ilhabela, Ilha Comprida, Itanhaém, Itapetininga, Pirassununga, and Ubatuba will receive the new radars.
“This means improving the accuracy and speed of our forecasts so that we can structure our communities to act quickly. We are using technology to our advantage to save lives,” stated Governor Tarcísio de Freitas.
The contracting of 40 new civil defense projects was also authorized, totaling more than R$ 47,6 million in investments, in addition to the inauguration of 12 already completed projects aimed at reducing risks in vulnerable areas and increasing the resilience of municipalities, with R$ 7,6 million already invested.
The package also includes a partnership between Civil Defense and the State Social Fund for the purchase of 38 water tanker trucks, with an investment exceeding R$ 19,7 million, in addition to formalizing agreements with municipalities for the acquisition of equipment and vehicles, with resources from mandatory amendments, totaling R$ 1,35 million, expanding local response capacity.
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