Government Plans Installation of 87 Doppler Weather Radars to Improve Forecasting Precision
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New Delhi, Nov 27 (NationPress) The Union government has set out to install 87 new Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) aimed at improving the precision of forecasting data, as revealed in Parliament on Wednesday.
The upcoming DWRs, which will span the entire country under Mission Mausam, are expected to be operational within two to three years, according to Dr Jitendra Singh, the Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, who provided this information in a written response to the Lok Sabha.
This initiative will also significantly enhance the weather monitoring capabilities of the nation.
Dr Singh stated, 'The newly initiated Mission Mausam seeks to strengthen the DWR network nationwide for comprehensive radar coverage and to boost the accuracy of our weather forecasting systems.'
He further mentioned that 'the supply order for 34 DWRs has already been placed', and added, 'the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) has greenlit the acquisition of an additional 53 DWRs'.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) boasts a sophisticated DWR network that employs established world-class technologies, including dual polarization and solid-state power amplifier (SSPA).
While DWR networks do not provide direct forecasts or predictions of rainfall, they are capable of monitoring significant rainfall levels in a specific area.
'DWR observations are produced every ten minutes, offering cloud imagery and wind velocity data within the radar's coverage area,' the Minister stated.
'This capability aids in monitoring and issuing a nowcast of heavy rainfall activities within a very short timeframe of up to one hour,' he elaborated.
Additionally, Dr Singh addressed the escalating annual temperatures attributed to climate change.
He pointed out that this phenomenon is resulting in a rise in the frequency and severity of heatwaves across various regions, including India.
Data from the IMD indicates an observable increase in the occurrence of heatwaves, particularly in northern plains and central India.
In response, Dr Singh emphasized the government's various initiatives, in collaboration with states, aimed at mitigating the causes of heatwaves in the future.
These initiatives include the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and the State Action Plan on Climate Change (SAPCC).
Moreover, India is actively engaging in international partnerships through efforts such as the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster-Resilient Infrastructure.
'India is dedicated to implementing low-carbon development strategies that align with national circumstances,' Dr Singh affirmed.
He also noted that the monitoring and early warning systems established by the IMD and other researchers have played a crucial role in reducing the 'loss of life and property during extreme weather incidents, including heatwaves.'
The government has also rolled out Heat Action Plans (HAPs) in 23 states prone to heatwave conditions.
Furthermore, measures to mitigate the impact of heatwaves on agricultural yields include 'strengthening the buffer stock of essential food items, periodic open market releases, subsidized retail sales of staples like rice, wheat flour, and pulses in designated outlets, facilitating imports of essential food items by rationalizing duties, and preventing hoarding through the imposition/revision and monitoring of stock limits,' he stated.
