Imphal likely to get Doppler Weather Radar
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 13 2026: The Ministry of Earth Science (MoES) is likely to install and commission as many as 10 Doppler Weather Radars across North East including one at Imphal soon.

At present, the North East region is covered by four operational Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) located at Agartala (S-Band), Mohanbari (S-Band), Sohra (X-Band) and Jorhat (X-Band), with the Jorhat radar commissioned in January 2026 .

This step to install and commission 10 new DWRs in the North East has been taken up recognizing the need for enhanced coverage and the need for a stronger denser weather monitoring system in the region, said the Ministry of Earth Science.

Notably, the Ministry informed this in its reply to a Special Mention raised by Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba in the Parliament on March 30 .

The MP had then stressed the need for installation of more Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) in the North-East region.

In its reply, the Ministry said it acknowledges the concerns raised regarding the need for a stronger and denser weather monitoring system in the North-East region, given its complex terrain and high vulnerability to extreme weather events.

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), through the India Meteorological Department (IMD), has accorded high priority to augmenting meteorological infrastructure in the region under the Mission Mausam, it said.

The 10 DWRs to be installed and commissioned in the NE region include nine X-Band DWRs and one C-Band DWR.

The MoES said the nine X-Band DWRs in the North-East region may be installed at Belonia, Tezpur, Silchar, Imphal, Aizawl, Dimapur, Namsai, West Arunachal Pradesh (tentative site at Mandala Top), and Gossaigaon (Assam) .

The C-Band DWR may be installed at Guwahati (Kahilipara) .

Most of these radars are at advanced stages of implementation and are targeted for commissioning very soon, said the Ministry.

In addition to DWRs, augmentation of other advanced observing systems such as Wind Profilers and Microwave Radiometers is also planned in the region to further strengthen upper-air observations and improve nowcasting and short-to medium-range weather forecasts, said the Ministry.

This integrated expansion of observational infrastructure will significantly improve real-time monitoring of precipitation, thunderstorms, and severe weather systems, thereby enhancing forecasting accuracy and early warning capabilities.

The strengthened network will support disaster management authorities in timely evacuation and preparedness, assist farmers with improved agrometeorological advisories, and contribute to reducing risks from floods, landslides, and other climate-induced hazards, added the Ministry.

The Ministry remains committed to continuously strengthening the observation network in the North-East region and will take further steps, as required, to ensure comprehensive weather coverage and improved public safety, it said.

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