India Expands Doppler Weather Radar Network by Over 250% for Better Forecast Accuracy

“India’s weather services have evolved from a system once viewed with scepticism to one that delivers highly reliable and actionable forecasts,” the Minister said.

In a major leap towards enhancing weather forecasting precision and climate resilience, India has expanded its Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) network from just 14 operational units in 2014 to 50 in 2026—an increase of over 250 percent. The expanded network now covers more than 87 percent of the country, significantly improving the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) ability to monitor and predict extreme weather events such as cyclones, heavy rainfall, and thunderstorms.

The announcement was made by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, during the inauguration of a newly inaugurated "Weather Radar Selfie Point" at the entrance of the IMD headquarters in Lodhi Road, New Delhi. The event was attended by senior leadership, including Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr. M. Ravichandran, and Director General of Meteorology, Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, along with leading scientists and officials.

Describing the transformation as a "decade of meteorological advancement," Dr. Jitendra Singh credited the rapid expansion to the government's strategic focus on strengthening weather and climate services under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasised that the modernisation of forecasting infrastructure has led to greater accuracy, wider accessibility, and a substantial increase in public trust.

"India's weather services have evolved from a system once viewed with scepticism to one that delivers highly reliable and actionable forecasts," the Minister said. Today, millions of citizens—including farmers, pilots, disaster managers, event planners, and urban residents—depend on IMD forecasts for daily decision-making. The widespread use of mobile-based weather updates reflects the growing integration of meteorological data into everyday life.

A key pillar of this transformation is the deployment of advanced Doppler Weather Radar systems. These radars operate on the Doppler effect principle, enabling scientists to track the speed, direction, and intensity of weather systems in real time. The latest generation radars installed by IMD are equipped with dual-polarization technology, allowing them to distinguish between different types of precipitation—rain, hail, drizzle—and significantly improving rainfall estimation while reducing false signals.

This technological upgrade has strengthened India's capacity to issue timely and precise warnings. The expanded radar network enables continuous atmospheric monitoring across vast regions, supporting early alerts for severe weather events, including cyclones, lightning storms, cloudbursts, and intense rainfall episodes. These capabilities are particularly critical in a country frequently affected by climate variability and extreme weather.

Dr. Singh also highlighted the introduction and growing impact of 'Nowcast' services—short-term, highly localised forecasts that provide weather predictions for the next three hours. These real-time updates have proven invaluable for disaster preparedness, aviation operations, traffic management, and urban planning. According to officials, India's forecasting systems can now provide granular details such as rainfall intensity, precipitation type, likelihood of hailstorms, and even raindrop size—an indicator of the sophistication achieved in weather modelling.

Looking ahead, the government plans to further expand the DWR network under Mission Mausam, with an additional 50 radars to be installed in the coming years. Special emphasis is being placed on vulnerable and strategically important regions, including Jammu & Kashmir and other areas prone to extreme weather events, to enhance early warning systems and disaster resilience.

Beyond national boundaries, India's improved forecasting capabilities are also contributing to regional cooperation. IMD shares critical weather data and forecasts with neighbouring countries, supporting collective preparedness and reinforcing India's role as a key partner in regional climate resilience.

The newly inaugurated Selfie Point at IMD headquarters symbolises both legacy and innovation. Featuring a display of an earlier generation weather radar, the installation aims to raise public awareness about meteorological science and its evolution. It also encourages citizens to actively engage with IMD's services through digital platforms, including mobile applications, SMS alerts, and social media channels.

Dr. Jitendra Singh noted that bridging the gap between scientific advancements and public understanding remains a priority. "Empowering citizens with accessible and reliable weather information is essential for building a climate-resilient society," he said.

As India continues to modernise its meteorological infrastructure, the rapid expansion of the Doppler Weather Radar network stands out as a cornerstone achievement—one that not only enhances forecast accuracy but also strengthens disaster risk reduction, safeguards lives and livelihoods, and supports sustainable development in an era of increasing climate uncertainty.