X-Band Radar Deployment in Wayanad, Kerala

Introduction and Overview
  • The Ministry of Earth Sciences has recently approved the installation of an X-band radar in Kerala’s Wayanad district.
  • This initiative follows a series of destructive floods and landslides in the area.
Background on Radar Technology
  • A radar is a device that utilises radio waves for detecting and locating objects, which is achieved by considering the reflection of the waves.
  • Radar comprises a transmitter and receiver system and is instrumental in various industries, notably meteorology.
Doppler Radars and Their Application
  • Doppler radars, a subset of Radar technology, analyse how fast a cloud is moving and in which direction, based on the frequency change of the radiation striking the cloud.
  • They help predict weather conditions, anticipate new wind patterns, formation of storms, among other applications.
Understanding X-Band Radars
  • X-band radar emits radiation in the X-band of the electromagnetic spectrum (8-12 GHz), corresponding to wavelengths of approximately 2-4 cm.
  • This radar uses radiation of lower wavelengths to inspect smaller particles such as rain droplets or fog, thus resulting in images of higher resolution.
  • However, these radars have a comparatively shorter range.
Key Role of X-Band Radar in Wayanad
  • The newly approved X-band radar will monitor soil particle movements, crucial for providing landslide warnings in time.
  • It will conduct high temporal sampling, allowing for quick detection of changes in particle movements over brief periods.
India's Track Record with Radars
  • India Meteorological Department (IMD) commenced the use of radar for weather forecasting in the early 1950s.
  • In 1970, IMD installed the first indigenously designed X-band storm detection radar in New Delhi which was followed by the upgradation of 10 X-band radars to digital versions in 1996.
Types of Radar Networks in India
  • India employs a mix of both wind-finding and storm-detecting radars within its X-band radar network, some possessing dual capabilities.
  • Other commonly used radars include S-band for long-range detection and locally made variants.
Recent and Upcoming Radar Initiatives in India
  • As of September 2024, India has planned to install an additional 56 Doppler radars under the Rs 2,000-crore Mission Mausam initiative intended to amplify meteorological infrastructure by 2026.
  • The Government has also started the process of acquiring and installing 10 X-band Doppler radars in northeastern states and Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti district.
  • A C-band radar with an observational range of 250 km is set to be installed in Mangaluru.