Installation of Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at Zaung Tu Weir – 22 February 2016

The installation of the equipment was done by the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) group led by Mr. Akira Kodaka, Dr. Ralph Allen Acierto, Dr. Akiyuki Kawasaki, Dr. Komori of Tohoku University, JICA coordinator Mr. Okazaki and representatives from Yangon Technological University (YTU), Irrigation Department (ID), Department of Hydropower Implementation (DHPI), and Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) as shown in Figure 1. 

Figure 1. Weather Observation Installation Group (UTokyo, YTU, ID, DHPI) at Zaung Tu Weir

The fencing of the area and the stainless steel pole was managed and implemented by members of the Irrigation Department. Figure 2 shows the pre-installation situation of the fenced area where the observation system was installed. The installation of automatic weather station equipment for Zaung Tu Weir was started at 9:00am in the morning.  

Figure 2. Pre-installation image of fenced area for the Weather Observation Station at Zaung Tu Weir

Figure 3. Left Image show assembling the Solar Panel mounting support attached to the stainless steel pole. Right image show assembling of the weather sensor equipment and enclosure

The installation started by assembling the mounting of solar panel to be attached to the steel pole as shown in left image of Figure 3. Simultaneously, another group was putting together the weather sensor assembly (weather sensor and included pole holding the sensor) as shown in right image of Figure 3. Figure 4 shows the attachment of the solar panel to the mount support being done by the members of installation team. Left image of Figure 5 shows the attachment enclosure holding the data logger, modem, battery, and other appurtenances.

Figure 4. Attachment of Solar Panel to mount support attached to the stainless steel pole

Figure 5. Attachment of box enclosure (includes data logger, battery, charging regulator, modem, and other appurtenances) and weather sensor assembly to the stainless steel pole

Middle and right image shows the attachment of the weather sensor assembly to the stainless steel pole. The observation equipment was assembled after 2-3hours as shown in Figure 6 before getting a quick break from intense heat under the sun. 

Figure 6. Final checking of the connection of solar panel to the charging regulator and of weather sensor to the data logger

Around 12:30, final checking of equipment and demonstration was also done by Mr. Akira Kodaka as shown in Figure 7. Figure 8 shows the on-site data retrieval demonstration and hands-on practice by representatives of the installation group.

Figure 7. Connecting the data logger to the computer to set-up and check if weather sensor was already operational

Figure 8. Post-Installation check and data retrieval demonstration from the observation system

Figure 9 shows the installed weather observation system in fenced area on the left side area of Zaung Tu Weir facing downstream.

Figure 9. Weather Observation System installed in Zaung Tu Weir