Urban Radar Networks to Revolutionize Weather Forecasting in Major Indian Cities

The Ministry of Earth Sciences in India plans to extend urban radar networks for better weather forecasting to Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata, following the Mumbai model. The initiative, part of Mission Mausam, aims to install 50 doppler weather radars across the country to enhance weather monitoring.

Three major Indian cities—Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata—are set to receive urban radar networks to improve weather forecasts, much like the network unveiled in Mumbai last month, officials announced on Wednesday.

Last month, the Ministry of Earth Sciences introduced four X-band weather radars in Mumbai, increasing the total to six in the financial capital and covering nearly 50,000 square kilometers.

"We plan to extend similar coverage to the other three metros—Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata—within the next year," said M Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Under Mission Mausam, the government aims to install 50 doppler weather radars across India to bolster weather forecasting services.

The urban radar network will provide real-time data every five minutes by detecting clouds that bring extreme rainfall and thunderstorms. The radar data will be integrated to offer a real-time view of weather systems developing in and around these cities.

The launch has made Mumbai the country's most monitored city for evolving weather systems. Currently, Mumbai has two doppler weather radars.

Approved last month, Mission Mausam, with a budget of Rs 2,000 crore, aims to make India 'weather-ready and climate-smart' through advanced weather surveillance technologies and systems.

The mission's objectives include establishing 50 doppler weather radars, 60 radiosonde/radio wind stations, 100 disdrometers, 10 wind profilers, 25 radiometers, and several marine and urban weather monitoring stations.

(With inputs from agencies.)