Centre to install 87 radars to improve weather forecast

Under the Mission Mausam, the Centre has planned to augment the weather radar network across the country. As many as 87 Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) will be installed in the country in the next two years to enhance nowcasting, which refers to a short-term weather forecast from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) that provides details about the current weather and predictions for the next few hours.

These DWR radars can measure rainfall intensity, wind shear and velocity and locate a storm center and the direction of a tornado. The DWR network helps monitor and issue a nowcast of associated heavy rainfall activities at a very short duration of up to one hour.

The Cabinet approved Mission Mausam on September 11, with a budget outlay of Rs 2,000 crore for two years, which aims to make India ‘Weather Ready’ and ‘Climate Smart’.