Doppler radars’ installation delayed due to fund crunch

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, June 28

The installation of Doppler radars to make accurate weather predictions has been delayed in Uttarakhand due to fund crunch.

LS Rathore, Director General of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), stated this while he was in Dehradun to inaugurate a housing complex for the staff of the IMD on Sunday.

Following the June 2013 natural disaster, there was a strong demand to instal Doppler radars at Mussoorie and Nainital to make precise weather forecast but nothing much has been done on the front so far.

It was argued that Uttarakhand, which frequently suffers natural disasters, particularly during the monsoon, should have the latest scientific equipment of weather forecasting so that accurate weather predictions could be made and loss of life could be minimised.

Rathore said the department had prepared a Rs 1,100 crore modernisation plan for the country, under which 55 Doppler radars were to be installed but the proposal was yet to get financial clearance from the Central Government. There was a plan to install three Doppler radars in Uttarakhand — one each at Mussoorie, Almora and a third place.

Doppler radars could predict extreme weather conditions such as heavy rainfall, thunderstorm and cyclonic storms well in advance so that a warning could be given to the authorities to prepare for any eventuality. These radars can give digital information about formation of thick clouds two hours in advance and are helpful in disaster preparedness.

The hilly terrain of Uttarakhand may pose a challenge to Doppler radars since they need unobstructed line of sight for long range area specific forecast. The hilly terrain could be a problem, Rathore added.