UPSC Articles
New Doppler Radars in Maharashtra: IMD
Part of: GS Prelims and GS -III – Indigenization of Technology
In news
- Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that it will install seven new doppler radars in Maharashtra, including Mumbai in 2021.
-
- In January 2021, Ministry of Earth Sciences commissioned two of the ten indigenously built X-Band Doppler Weather Radars (DWR) to closely monitor the weather changes over the Himalayas.
About Doppler Radar
- It is a specialized radar that uses the Doppler effect to produce velocity data about objects at a distance.
- Doppler effect: When the source and the signal are in relative motion to each other there is a change in the frequency observed by the observer.
- If they are moving closer, frequency increases and vice versa.
- Based on Doppler principle the radar is designed to improve precision in long-range weather forecasting and surveillance using a parabolic dish antenna and a foam sandwich spherical radome.
- DWR has the equipment to measure rainfall intensity, wind shear and velocity and locate a storm centre and the direction of a tornado or gust front.
About India Meteorological Department
- It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, established in 1875.
- It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology.
Pic courtesy: Researchgate
