Antenna and GPS from the Brazilian Geological Survey that monitors the Acre River are stolen in the center of the capital | Acre

The antenna, GPS and part of the cables of the Data Collection Platform, located in the Center of Rio Branco, from the Geological Survey of Brazil, were stolen in the early hours of this Wednesday (1st).

The equipment is used to collect hydrological data from the Acre River used in bulletins from the National Hydrometeorological Network under the responsibility of the National Water Agency (ANA).

Data collection is part of the Brazilian Geological Survey project. The equipment is next to the Ponte Metálica, in Gameleira, 2nd District of the capital of Acre.

“This equipment is important because it helps us with the issue of issuing flood or drought alerts. It is equipment that sends data from this point on the Acre River every 15 minutes, via satellite, and which contributes to the formation of the idea of ​​hydrological data, of the answers that the Acre River is giving us”, highlighted Victor Malverdi, technician from the Hydrology and Territorial Management department of the Geological Survey of Brazil.

According to the expert, between December and January of this year, another piece of equipment similar to this was stolen. As prevention, the team installed protection around the platform, but it was not enough to inhibit the actions of criminals.

“We made a reinforced box so that people wouldn’t have access to the equipment, but this time they took an antenna that communicates with the satellite. Without an antenna, the equipment doesn’t work, it doesn’t communicate”, he lamented.

A team from Rondônia (RO) from the company should come to Acre to repair the platform and get it working again next week. A police report was registered. “I registered it myself via the internet, and we sent it today [quinta-feira, 2] a letter to the city hall asking for support so that we can better protect this equipment”, he concluded.