Parliament Question: Doppler Radar Coverage in Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur

Why in news

The article addresses a Parliament question regarding the installation of Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) in Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur districts of Himachal Pradesh, highlighting challenges in site identification and the current status of weather monitoring infrastructure in the region.

Exam relevance

GS3 · Science & Technology, Governance · Prelims · Mains

Key facts

1. No suitable site has been identified in Lahaul and Spiti Valley for X-Band DWR installation due to severe beam blockage.
2. A proposed DWR for Lahaul and Spiti was not established at that location due to project timeline expiry and was deployed elsewhere.
3. Himachal Pradesh currently has three operational X-Band Doppler Weather Radars at Kufri, Jot, and Murari Devi.
4. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has established a network of 24 Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs), 4 Agro-AWSs, and 66 Automatic Rain Gauge Stations (ARGs) in Himachal Pradesh.
5. 10 AWSs and ARGs are currently operational in the districts of Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur.
6. Himachal Pradesh is also covered by 135 rain gauges under district-wise and block-wise rainfall monitoring schemes.

Prelims pointers

• IMD operates a network of Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs).
• X-Band DWRs are used for weather surveillance.
• Beam blockage is a challenge for radar installation.
• Himachal Pradesh has operational DWRs at Kufri, Jot, and Murari Devi.
• IMD network in Himachal Pradesh includes AWSs, Agro-AWSs, and ARGs.
• Lahaul & Spiti and Kinnaur districts have operational AWSs and ARGs.

Mains practice question

Discuss the challenges faced by the India Meteorological Department in establishing advanced weather monitoring infrastructure in geographically challenging terrains like Lahaul and Spiti, and analyze the implications for disaster management and climate resilience.

Static linkage

The article relates to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), its role in weather monitoring and forecasting, and the deployment of advanced technologies like Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs). It also touches upon the challenges of establishing infrastructure in geographically difficult terrains, relevant to disaster management and climate studies.

Significance

The lack of adequate Doppler Radar coverage in Lahaul and Spiti and Kinnaur poses challenges for precise weather forecasting and early warnings in these high-altitude regions, which are prone to extreme weather events and natural disasters. The information highlights the IMD's efforts to expand its observational network and the difficulties encountered in implementing technological solutions in remote and complex geographical areas. This has implications for disaster preparedness, agricultural planning, and the safety of local populations and tourists.