Karnataka’s First C-Band Doppler Weather Radar in Mangaluru Delayed

Karnataka’s First C-Band Doppler Weather Radar in Mangaluru Delayed

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Jan 5, 2025: Karnataka’s first C-Band Doppler Weather Radar (DWR), under construction in Mangaluru, will face a slight delay due to technical issues, according to N. Puviarasan, head of the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Bengaluru center. Initially scheduled for completion by January 15, the radar is now expected to become operational by the end of January.

“We are hoping to get it running by this month’s end at least,” Puviarasan stated during a stakeholders’ workshop organized by IMD Bengaluru on January 4, marking 150 years of the department.

The radar, being set up near Kadri in Mangaluru, will cover a 250-300 km radius. It will provide critical weather data for areas prone to heavy monsoon rains, such as Agumbe, Hulikal, Talakaveri, Kerekatte, and Bhagamandala, according to an IMD scientist. Additionally, Puviarasan revealed plans for an X-band Doppler Weather Radar in Dharwad alongside the existing ones in Bengaluru and Mangaluru.

During his presentation, Puviarasan highlighted that Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu, Hassan, Chamarajanagar, Mysuru, and Chikkaballapura have experienced the highest number of landslides causing significant damage and casualties. The year 2018 witnessed the most landslides, totaling 462, between 2006 and 2024.

The workshop, held at the Karnataka State Natural Disaster Management Centre (KSNDMC), included technical sessions conducted by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Department of Agro Meteorology, University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru.

Challenges in Establishing Bengaluru Radar
Puviarasan also discussed the hurdles faced in setting up an S-band Doppler Weather Radar in Bengaluru, primarily due to land acquisition challenges. “We need a 30x30-meter space to erect a tower and a small utility room,” he explained.

Initially, IMD had planned to install the radar at Nandi Hills. However, following a request from Union Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and Labour & Employment Shobha Karandlaje, they began searching for a suitable site within Bengaluru.

On July 23, 2024, Karandlaje posted on X (formerly Twitter), “Following my request, the IMD has greenlit the installation of a Doppler radar in Bengaluru, scheduled to be operational by year-end. This is a major step towards better weather forecasting and preparedness for natural disasters.”

She also shared a letter from Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh, confirming that the radar, with an operational range of 250 km, would be installed in Bengaluru by 2024. Singh added that the site for the radar had already been identified and the state government had been informed to expedite the acquisition process.

The new radars are expected to significantly enhance Karnataka’s weather forecasting capabilities, especially in managing natural disasters.