To prevent floods and landslides as recently seen in Kerala’s Wayanad district in the future, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved the installation of an X-band radar in Wayanad. 

X-Band Radar in Wayanad Boosts Landslide Early Warning System

• This radar aims to enhance early warning systems by monitoring environmental changes that can trigger landslides.
• The X-band radar installed in Wayanad will play a key role in monitoring the movements of soil particles, which are indicators of potential landslides. 
• With its high temporal sampling capability, the radar can detect rapid changes in the environment, allowing for more accurate and timely disaster warnings.

Doppler Radar and Its Application in Meteorology

• Doppler Radar (Radio Detection and Ranging) uses electromagnetic waves in the microwave range to detect location, direction, altitude, intensity, and movement of objects.
• Doppler radar is based on the Doppler effect, which describes the change in frequency of a signal when the source and observer are in relative motion.
  • If objects move closer, the frequency increases
• In meteorological applications, Doppler radars help forecasters observe rainfall, track cloud formations, and monitor thunderstorms in real-time.
• By detecting the movement of particles, they can provide valuable data on storm intensity and wind direction.

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Types of Doppler Radars: L, S, C, X, and K Bands

• L-band radar: Low frequency (1-2 GHz), long wavelengths (15-30 cm), suitable for detecting large-scale weather patterns.
• S-band radar: Operates at 2-4 GHz, with wavelengths of 8-15 cm. It is useful for both near and far-range weather detection due to its resistance to signal attenuation.
• C-band radar: Works within 4-8 GHz frequency and 4-8 cm wavelength, primarily used for short-range weather observations.
• X-band radar: Focuses on smaller particles and shorter-range weather monitoring, due to its 8-12 GHz frequency and 2-4 cm wavelength.

Role of  X-Band Radar

• The shorter wavelength allows X-band radar to detect smaller particles, such as rain droplets and soil, providing high-resolution imaging.
• However, due to the shorter wavelength, X-band radars have a relatively limited detection range compared to other radar types like C-band or S-band.

India’s Growing Radar Network

• India’s India Meteorological Department (IMD) began using radar technology in the 1950s, installing its first indigenous X-band radar in 1970.
• Both X-band and S-band radars are used extensively across the country.
• Mission Mausam: The Indian government plans to add 56 additional Doppler radars, modernising its meteorological infrastructure under the ₹2,000 crore ‘Mission Mausam’ initiative.
• This includes the installation of up to 60 radars by 2026 to improve weather forecasting.

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Future Projects

• India, in collaboration with NASA, is developing the NISAR satellite (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar), which is expected to launch in 2025. 
• NISAR will combine L-band and S-band radars to produce high-resolution maps of the Earth’s surface, helping track natural processes such as land deformation and environmental changes. 
• This satellite will enhance the country’s ability to monitor and respond to geological activities and weather phenomena.

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