IMD to commission X-Band Doppler Weather Radar in Wayanad by December 2026
Thiruvananthapuram, August 6
The India Meteorological Department under the Ministry of Earth Sciences is implementing an X-Band Doppler Weather Radar project at Pulpally in Kerala's Wayanad district to strengthen weather monitoring and enhance the timely dissemination of warnings for extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall and cloudburst-like situations.
According to an official release, the land for installation of the radar has been provided by Pazhassi Raja College, Pulpally, with the active coordination and support of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA).
The X-Band Doppler Weather Radar will provide high-resolution weather surveillance covering a radius of approximately 100 km, with Pulpally as the centre of coverage. The radar will be manned, operated, and maintained by the IMD through its trained technical and meteorological personnel.
The radar installation and associated infrastructure works are in the final stages. The X-Band Doppler Weather Radar is expected to be commissioned by the end of December 2026, subject to successful completion of all technical and operational acceptance tests.
Once commissioned, the radar will significantly strengthen weather observation over Wayanad and adjoining regions, enabling more accurate and timely weather forecasts and early warnings to support disaster management agencies, district administrations, and the public, the release added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see IMD expanding its network in hilly terrain. X-band radars are specifically designed for such regions with better low-level coverage. This will definitely help in monitoring localized heavy rainfall events. Hopefully the timeline sticks!
Better late than never, but the 2026 deadline is concerning. We've seen how these projects get delayed. I hope the IMD takes lessons from the Chardham project and ensures this one is delivered on time. Wayanad needs this urgently, and the college land donation shows community support is already there. 👏
This is promising but I'm worried about maintenance. Many radars in India suffer due to lack of spare parts and trained staff. IMD must ensure proper upkeep, especially in a remote area like Pulpally. Also, will the data be accessible to the public in real-time? Transparency matters! 🌧️
Interesting choice - X-band over C-band for Wayanad. I'm sure IMD has its reasons, likely better resolution in mountainous terrain despite shorter range. Still, a 100 km radius should cover most of northern Kerala and parts of Karnataka. This is a significant boost for regional forecasting.
As someone from Wayanad, this news gives me hope. The district has suffered so much due to unpredictable weather. But I request the authorities to also focus on community awareness - a radar is only as effective as the people acting on its warnings. Let's prepare our local communities better! 🙏🌧️
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.