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India's Doppler Weather Radar Network Expands Over 250% Since 2014

India has expanded its Doppler Weather Radar network from 14 to 50 units since 2014, a rise of over 250%. The network now covers more than 87% of the country, improving forecasts for cyclones, heavy rain, and thunderstorms. Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for the rapid expansion. The government plans to add 50 more radars under the Mission Mausam initiative.

Key Points: India's Weather Radar Network Grows 250% Since 2014

  • Network grew from 14 to 50 radars since 2014
  • Now covers over 87% of India
  • 50 more radars planned under Mission Mausam
  • Improved cyclone, rain, thunderstorm forecasting
2 min read

India expands Doppler Weather Radar network by over 250 pc since 2014: Dr Jitendra Singh

India expands Doppler Weather Radar network from 14 to 50 units since 2014, covering 87% of country. Dr Jitendra Singh highlights improved forecasting.

"India has significantly expanded its Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network since 2014, increasing from 14 operational units to 50, marking over 250 per cent rise. - Dr Jitendra Singh"

New Delhi, April 29

India has significantly expanded its Doppler Weather Radar network since 2014, increasing from 14 operational units to 50 -- a rise of over 250 per cent, Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said on Wednesday.

Speaking to the media after inaugurating a Selfie Point depicting a weather radar at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) headquarters in the national capital, Dr Jitendra Singh said the expansion now covers more than 87 per cent of the country and has substantially improved forecasting of cyclones, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms.

"India has significantly expanded its Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network since 2014, increasing from 14 operational units to 50, marking over 250 per cent rise," he said.

"These additions, covering over 87 per cent of the country, improve forecasting for cyclones, heavy rain, and thunderstorms under the India Meteorological Department (IMD), with 50 more planned under Mission Mausam," Singh stated.

The minister said the rapid scaling up of the radar network has been driven by the government's focus on strengthening weather and climate services under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

He added that the improved infrastructure has enhanced the accuracy, accessibility and credibility of weather forecasts, leading to greater public trust.

"This transformation has been made possible due to the high priority accorded to the sector by the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leading to greater accuracy, accessibility and public trust in forecasts," he said.

"People now routinely check weather updates on their mobile phones before stepping out, reflecting the growing trust and reach of IMD services," he stated.

Dr Singh noted that India's enhanced forecasting capabilities are also benefiting neighbouring countries, underlining its role in regional cooperation and resilience.

"India's forecasting capability has reached a stage where it can provide detailed inputs on rainfall intensity, type of precipitation, possibility of hailstorms, and even the size of raindrops," he noted.

- IANS

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Michael C
As someone who works in climate research in the US, this is genuinely impressive. 250% increase in DWR coverage in under a decade is world-class progress. India's cyclone prediction capability is now on par with the best globally. The fact that they're also helping neighbors is a smart soft power move.
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Sneha F
Good to see progress, but let's not get too carried away. We still have remote villages in the Northeast and Himalayas with zero radar coverage. And 87% sounds great, but what about the remaining 13%? Farmers in those areas are still taking blind bets on the monsoon. Mission Mausam better deliver on the remaining 50 radars. No shortcuts please 🙏
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Deepak U
As a farmer from Punjab, I can tell you this is a game changer. Earlier we'd just look at the sky and guess. Now my son checks IMD app on his phone and tells me exactly when to sow. The radar predictions have saved our wheat crop twice from hailstorms. This is real 'aatmanirbhar' progress - no need to rely on foreign models anymore. 👍
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Emma D
Wow, that's a massive leap in capability! I remember visiting India a few years ago and the weather forecasts were quite unreliable. Hearing that 50 more radars are coming under Mission Mausam is exciting. The regional cooperation angle with neighboring countries is also smart - weather knows no borders. Great to see India leading in this space.
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Kavya N
Living in Chennai, we've experienced the fury of both cyclones and floods. The fact that IMD can now predict even the size of

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