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.
