New Delhi (PTI): India on Tuesday advocated the need for regional cooperation in the area of weather forecasting and sharing of satellite inputs to efficiently deal with natural disasters.

Noting that SAARC countries are more vulnerable to weather-related disasters as compared to other regions, P S Goel, Secretary of Ministry of Earth Sciences, said it was "very important" that nations in the region develop expertise in weather forecasting.

He was speaking at the inauguration of two-day workshop on use of weather forecasting techniques here which was attended by 16 foreign delegates from SAARC countries like Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Enlisting the various uses that data from satellites can be put to, Goel said, "accuracy in studying satellite data will help saving lives, property and thus economics of the countries."

Agromet (application of meteorological data for agricultural purpose) has revolutionised agricultural practices in some of the developed nations, similary application of meteorological data in other fields as well change the face of research, he said.

Experts from field of aviation, agriculture, navigation and scientists from the SAARC Meteorological Centre in Dhaka will deliberate on various analytical applications of satellite outputs during the workshop.

They are expected to share knowledge and expertise in related fields of meteorology and will focus on putting to use data received from the satellite to some application.