India’s weather monitoring network took a significant step forward with the inauguration of the country’s 51st Doppler Weather Radar at Sambalpur in Odisha. The state-of-the-art facility, commissioned under Mission Mausam, strengthens early warning capabilities for western Odisha and neighbouring regions. Understanding how these radars function and their role in national weather preparedness helps explain why the expanding network is critical for a country frequently affected by extreme weather.
The New Radar at Sambalpur
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh virtually inaugurated the radar on 17 September 2026 in the presence of Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi. Located at Jamadarpali in Sambalpur, it is a Make-in-India installation. With this addition, Odisha now operates three Doppler Weather Radars—at Sambalpur, Gopalpur and Paradip.
The Sambalpur radar improves observations over western Odisha, covering about 13 districts including Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Balangir, Angul, Kalahandi and Keonjhar. Its influence extends to parts of southern Jharkhand, northern Chhattisgarh, and adjoining areas of other states. It provides detailed data within a 250 km radius and can track weather systems up to around 450 km. Observations update every 10 minutes at a resolution of approximately 150 metres, supporting timely alerts for thunderstorms, lightning, heavy rainfall and hailstorms. The data will also aid better management of inflows into the Hirakud reservoir.
Growth of India’s Doppler Radar Network
In 2014, India had only 14 Doppler Weather Radars. The network has since grown to 51. Under Mission Mausam, around 40 additional radars are planned, which could take the total close to 81. This expansion aims to close observational gaps, enable more localised forecasting and improve the accuracy and lead time of warnings for extreme weather events.
Doppler radars form a key layer of India’s multi-tiered observation system, which also includes Automatic Weather Stations, rain gauges, radiosondes and other instruments. Together they feed real-time data into forecasting models used by the India Meteorological Department.
How Doppler Weather Radars Work
A Doppler Weather Radar emits pulses of radio waves (microwave energy) from an antenna into the atmosphere. When these waves encounter objects such as raindrops, snowflakes, hail or even insects and dust, part of the energy scatters and some reflects back to the radar as an “echo.”
The time taken for the signal to return indicates the distance of the target. The strength of the returned signal provides information about the size and intensity of the precipitation. What makes a Doppler radar special is its ability to measure motion. It does this by detecting the Doppler effect—the change in frequency (or phase shift) of the returned signal caused by the movement of the reflecting particles.
If precipitation is moving toward the radar, the frequency of the returned wave increases; if it is moving away, the frequency decreases. Computers analyse these shifts to calculate the speed and direction of movement within storms. This dual capability—mapping both the location and intensity of precipitation as well as its motion—allows meteorologists to track the development, structure and path of weather systems in near real time.
India uses Doppler radars of different frequency bands. S-band radars are particularly useful for long-range monitoring of cyclones and heavy precipitation. C-band radars support cyclone tracking and general surveillance. X-band radars excel at detecting smaller-scale phenomena such as thunderstorms and lightning. Typical coverage extends to about 500 km, though effective resolution and detail are highest closer to the radar.
Why Doppler Radars Matter
Accurate, timely weather information saves lives and reduces economic losses. Doppler radars excel at short-range, high-resolution monitoring of severe convective weather—thunderstorms, cloudbursts, intense rainfall cells and associated winds—that satellites or sparse surface stations may miss or detect too late. By revealing the internal motion of storms, they help forecasters issue more precise nowcasts and short-term warnings.
For a country like India, with a long coastline vulnerable to cyclones, a monsoon that can produce extreme rainfall, and regions prone to thunderstorms and lightning, dense radar coverage is essential. Improved observations support agriculture, water resource management, aviation, disaster response and public safety. Localised data also helps district administrations and communities prepare more effectively.
Mission Mausam and the Bigger Picture
Mission Mausam is a flagship programme aimed at making India “weather-ready” and “climate-smart.” It focuses on strengthening the entire value chain of weather services: denser and more advanced observations, improved numerical models, research, and effective last-mile dissemination of forecasts and warnings. The expansion of the Doppler radar network is a central component of this effort.
Alongside radars, the mission supports other observational upgrades and capacity building at institutions such as the India Meteorological Department, the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. The goal is higher forecast accuracy, longer lead times for extreme events, and actionable information that reaches people in time to reduce risk.
Looking Ahead
The commissioning of the Sambalpur radar closes an important observational gap in western Odisha and adjoining areas. As more radars come online under Mission Mausam, India’s ability to monitor and anticipate weather hazards will continue to improve. Technology alone is not sufficient; effective communication of warnings and community preparedness remain equally important. Nevertheless, each new high-quality observation system represents a tangible advance in national resilience.
Doppler Weather Radars turn invisible atmospheric processes into visible, measurable data. By tracking both the presence and movement of precipitation and wind, they give meteorologists a clearer picture of developing storms. The steady expansion of this network, exemplified by the 51st radar at Sambalpur, strengthens India’s capacity to protect lives, livelihoods and infrastructure in an era of increasing weather variability.
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