What’s in Today’s Article?

• About Radar (Meaning, Working, X-band Radar, Why Wayanad Needs X-band Radar)
• India’s Radar Technology (X-band, Y-band, NISAR)
• Conclusion

Background:

• In response to the devastating floods and landslides that hit Wayanad district, Kerala, in July 2024, killing more than 200 people, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved the installation of an X-band radar.
• The landslides, triggered by torrential rains, were compounded by massive debris flow.
• This radar is expected to play a crucial role in improving early warning systems for future natural disasters in the region.

What is a Radar and How Does It Work?

• Radar stands for Radio Detection and Ranging. It works by emitting radio waves toward an object, and then measuring the reflected signal to determine the distance, speed, and characteristics of the object.
• In meteorology, radar is used to monitor weather conditions.
• The device sends out a signal towards clouds, and the echo helps determine factors like cloud movement, rainfall intensity, and wind patterns.
• A common type of radar used for weather is the Doppler radar, which leverages the Doppler effect—the change in frequency of a wave in relation to the observer's movement.

What is an X-band Radar?

• An X-band radar operates within the 8-12 GHz range of the electromagnetic spectrum, corresponding to wavelengths of 2-4 cm.
• This specific wavelength allows for higher resolution imaging, making it especially useful for detecting smaller particles like rain droplets and soil movements, which are crucial for landslide warnings.
• Although X-band radars provide detailed, high-resolution images, they have a shorter range compared to other radar types due to higher frequency attenuation.
• In Wayanad, the new X-band radar will perform high temporal sampling, meaning it will quickly capture and analyse data, which is vital for spotting and tracking particle movements, enabling timely warnings for landslides and other disasters.

Why Does Wayanad Need an X-band Radar?

• Wayanad is prone to natural disasters such as landslides and floods, which are triggered by heavy rainfall during monsoons.
• The region's hilly terrain and soil composition make it vulnerable to landslides.
• The X-band radar will significantly enhance the region’s capability to monitor soil movement and provide real-time alerts in case of impending disasters.
• Installing an X-band radar here can help mitigate disaster risks by:
  • Tracking rainfall intensity and wind speeds.
  • Monitoring soil movement to predict landslides.
  • Providing early warnings to the authorities and local populations.

India’s Radar Network:

• India began using radars for weather forecasting in the early 1950s.
• The first indigenously designed X-band radar was installed in New Delhi in 1970.
• Since then, India has expanded its radar network significantly, using different radar types for various purposes:
  • X-band radars: These are primarily used for storm detection and wind finding due to their ability to detect small particles with high resolution.
  • S-band radars: With a lower frequency range (2-4 GHz), S-band radars are designed for long-range detection. The first S-band radar for cyclone detection was installed in Visakhapatnam in 1970.
• India is also undergoing a significant upgrade of its radar infrastructure:
  • In September 2024, the government launched a ₹2,000-crore initiative, Mission Mausam, to install up to 60 radars by 2026 as part of its first phase.
  • As part of this upgrade, 56 additional Doppler radars are set to be installed over the next few years to improve weather forecasting and early warning systems across the country.

NISAR Technology:

• In addition to X-band radars, India is collaborating with NASA on a project known as NISAR (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar).
• Scheduled for launch in 2025, this satellite will use L-band and S-band radars to map Earth's landmasses and track environmental changes.
• NISAR aims to monitor changes in the Earth’s surface, including those caused by landslides, earthquakes, and glacier movements.
• This project, which has a budget of $1.5 billion, highlights the growing importance of radar technology in understanding environmental dynamics.

Conclusion:

• The installation of the X-band radar in Wayanad is a significant step towards improving disaster preparedness in Kerala, particularly in a region prone to landslides and heavy rainfall.
• This radar will enhance the ability to monitor weather conditions in real-time, providing critical early warnings and potentially saving lives.
• As India continues to expand and modernize its radar infrastructure through projects like Mission Mausam and NISAR, the country is better positioned to respond to natural disasters and mitigate their impacts.