SYLLABUS

GS-3: Science and Technology- Developments and their Applications and Effects in Everyday Life; Indigenization of Technology.  

Context: India has significantly expanded its Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network over the past decade to strengthen its weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities

More on the News

• India’s DWR network has grown from 14 radars in 2014 to around 50 in 2026, representing an increase of over 250%. 

• The current network provides coverage to approximately 85–87% of India’s geographical area, significantly improving real-time weather monitoring. 

• Under the government’s Mission Mausam initiative, additional radars are planned to further enhance coverage, especially in coastal, mountainous, and disaster-prone regions. 

• Future plans aim to expand the network to over 100 radars, enabling near-complete national coverage and improved accuracy in forecasting.

• The expansion is accompanied by advancements in dual-polarization radar technology, which enhances the ability to distinguish between different types of precipitation.

About Doppler Weather Radar (DWR)

• Doppler Weather Radar is a remote sensing system that uses the Doppler effect to measure the velocity and movement of atmospheric particles such as raindrops, snow, and hail. 

• It operates by emitting microwave signals and analysing the frequency shift of the signals reflected back from moving objects. 

• Modern DWRs provide high-resolution, real-time data on precipitation, wind patterns, and storm intensity, enabling short-term forecasting or “nowcasting.” 

• These radars play a crucial role in tracking cyclones, thunderstorms, and severe weather systems with high precision. 

• Types of DWR:

• S-Band Radar: S-band radars operate at longer wavelengths and are particularly effective for long-range detection, making them ideal for tracking large-scale systems such as cyclones. 
• C-Band Radar: C-band radars provide a balance between range and resolution and are widely used for general weather monitoring, especially in urban and semi-urban regions. 
• X-Band Radar: X-band radars operate at shorter wavelengths and offer high-resolution data over short distances, making them suitable for localized weather monitoring and urban flood forecasting.

Working of DWR

• The radar transmits pulses of electromagnetic waves into the atmosphere, which are reflected back by precipitation particles such as raindrops. 

• The time taken for the signal to return helps determine the distance of the weather system, while the frequency shift (Doppler shift) indicates the speed and direction of movement. 

• Advanced DWRs use dual-polarization technology, sending signals in both horizontal and vertical orientations to identify the type and shape of precipitation. 

• The collected data is processed and integrated with weather models to generate accurate forecasts and early warnings.

Applications of DWR

• Weather Forecasting and Nowcasting: DWRs enable accurate short-term predictions of rainfall, thunderstorms, and severe weather events, improving forecast reliability. 

• Disaster Management: They play a critical role in issuing early warnings for cyclones, floods, and lightning, helping reduce loss of life and property. 

• Agriculture and Water Management: Farmers benefit from timely weather information for crop planning, irrigation, and pest management, while water authorities use it for reservoir management. 

• Aviation and Maritime Safety: DWR data supports safe flight operations and navigation, particularly during adverse weather conditions. 

• Urban Planning and Climate Resilience: High-resolution data helps in urban flood management, infrastructure planning, and climate adaptation strategies.

SOURCES:
PIB
Newsonair
Indian Express
PIB