Bengaluru Struggles to Find Space for Doppler Weather Radar Installation

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is facing challenges in finding a suitable location in Bengaluru to set up a Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) due to the lack of unobstructed space within a 30-40 km radius.

Currently, IMD relies on data from existing radars in Goa and Tamil Nadu, as well as satellite information, for weather predictions in Bengaluru.

An IMD official expressed that while permission to install the DWR was granted, the issue lies in the absence of vacant land. As a resolution, IMD is exploring the option of utilizing rooftops of high-rise buildings in the city.

For the DWR setup, a clear space of 10×10 metres is required with the radar dome positioned at a low elevation angle of 0.2 degrees for optimal weather monitoring.

Due to the lack of open land, IMD is now seeking space atop a building with at least 25 storeys. Additionally, it is crucial that no taller structures are constructed within the radar’s range to avoid signal obstructions.

The installation of a DWR is essential for studying thunderstorms, cloud patterns, wind directions, and issuing precise location-specific nowcasts every three hours.

Prior locations like GKVK and Hessarghatta were considered but did not meet the necessary criteria. In Chennai, a similar issue persists with the DWR near the coast being hindered by surrounding tall buildings, affecting its 360-degree coverage.