Letters to The Editor — October 29, 2026 - The HinduPublished - October 29, 2026 12:24 am ISTWeather monitoringCyclone Arnab may have had landfall with its impact minimised through effective disaster management but the weather system also draws attention to the operational status of the doppler weather radars at Machilipatnam (MPT), Chennai (CHN) and Karaikal (KKL). This is particularly worrying at a time when there can be changes in the weather system over the Bay of Bengal impacting the eastern coast of peninsular India, southern Odisha and northern Andhra Pradesh. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) must restore these doppler weather radars to full operational status at the earliest and ensure that their data and imagery are made available on the IMD website.Timely restoration is essential for accurate weather monitoring, cyclone tracking and the dissemination of early warnings to vulnerable coastal communities.S. Sundararajan,ChennaiCustomer dataThe exposure of SBI customers’ personal data on the Dark Web raises serious questions about the bank’s cybersecurity safeguards and accountability. SBI must promptly notify affected customers, disclose the extent of the breach, prevent further misuse and assist victims of fraud or identity theft. It must also establish an accessible grievance-redress mechanism and ensure appropriate compensation for losses attributable to the breach. The apparent reliance on external agencies to detect the exposure warrants explanation. RBI and other competent authorities should examine the incident, assess compliance with security and reporting requirements, and ensure corrective action. Protecting customers must take precedence over reassuring investors.Gopalaswamy J.,ChennaiCoronary stentsThe Opinion page article, on coronary stents (October 28), raises questions that deserve an honest discussion. As an intensivist, I see both the value of timely intervention and the anxiety families face when asked to decide on a procedure.The distinction between a heart attack and stable coronary disease must remain clear. During an acute heart attack, timely angioplasty can save lives. Patients should not allow doubts about unnecessary procedures to delay emergency care.In stable disease, however, a narrowing on an angiogram does not automatically mean a stent is needed. Symptoms, blood flow, response to medicines and the patient’s wishes should guide the decision.Before elective angioplasty, patients deserve a simple explanation: Why is it needed? What benefit can they expect? Are medicines a reasonable option?Clear communication, documented indications and regular clinical audits would help strengthen trust. Doctors must welcome reasonable questions, and public discussion must recognise that each patient’s circumstances differ.Our shared aim should be appropriate, affordable care, with every procedure serving a clear purpose.Dr. Yash Javeri,LucknowPublished - October 29, 2026 12:24 am ISTSign in to unlock member-only benefits!Access 10 free stories every monthSave stories to read laterAccess to comment on every storySign-up/manage your newsletter subscriptions with a single clickGet notified by email for early access to discounts & offers on our products${ ind + 1 } ${ device }Last active - ${ la }