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Wayanad Gets Advanced X-Band Radar

After devastating floods and landslides claimed over 200 lives in Kerala’s Wayanad district in July 2024, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences took a crucial step to bolster disaster preparedness by approving the installation of an X-band radar in the region. The torrential rains, which triggered a massive landslide in the valley above Punchirimattom near the Mundakkai area, led to catastrophic debris flows, intensifying the destruction.

Details

How do Radars Work?

  • Radar stands for ‘radio detection and ranging’. 
  • It uses radio waves to detect objects, measure distance, velocity, and characteristics.
  • A transmitter emits a signal aimed at an object (e.g., clouds in meteorology). 
  • The signal reflects off the object and returns to the radar’s receiver for analysis.
  • This type of radar uses the Doppler effect, which is the change in frequency as the source of waves moves toward or away from a listener. 
  • It tracks cloud movement, direction, and speed based on frequency changes.
  • Measures intensity (e.g., rainfall) by emitting radiation in pulses and analyzing how often they reflect back. 
  • This helps monitor wind patterns and storms.

X-Band Radar

X-band properties 

  • X-band radar operates in the 8-12 GHz range with wavelengths of 2-4 cm, offering higher-resolution images by using shorter wavelengths.

Applications in meteorology

  • These radars detect smaller particles, like rain droplets or fog, due to their lower wavelengths.

Limitations

  • X-band radar has a shorter range because higher frequency radiation attenuates faster.

Usage in Wayanad 

  • It will monitor soil movements to help predict landslides, performing high-temporal sampling to track changes rapidly.

India’s Radar Network

  • India began using weather radars in the 1950s. 
  • The first indigenously made X-band radar was installed in New Delhi in 1970.
  • X-band radar network: India uses X-band radars for storm and wind detection. Some radars have dual capabilities.
  • S-band radars: Operate at 2-4 GHz and are used for long-range detection. The first cyclone detection S-band radar was set up in Visakhapatnam in 1970.
  • Radar expansion: India is set to install 56 additional Doppler radars as part of the ₹2,000-crore ‘Mission Mausam’. This includes up to 60 meteorological radars by 2026.
  • Northeast radar installation: The government is procuring 10 X-band Doppler radars to improve weather forecasting in northeastern states and Himachal Pradesh’s Lahaul and Spiti districts.

NISAR: A Joint NASA-ISRO Project

NISAR overview 

  • NASA and ISRO are collaborating on the NISAR satellite (NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar) to map the Earth’s landmasses using radar imaging.

L- and S-band radar 

  • The satellite will carry an L-band radar (1.25 GHz, 24 cm) from NASA and an S-band radar (3.2 GHz, 9.3 cm) from ISRO to track natural changes on Earth.

Expected launch

  • The satellite is planned for launch in 2025 aboard an ISRO GSLV Mk II rocket at a total cost of $1.5 billion, mostly funded by NASA.

 

Summary/Static Details
Why in the news? Union Ministry of Earth Sciences took a crucial step to bolster disaster preparedness by approving the installation of an X-band radar in the region. 
How Radars Work Radar uses radio waves to detect objects, measure distance, velocity, and characteristics.

– The transmitter sends a signal, and the receiver analyzes the reflected signal using Doppler effect.

X-Band Radar Properties – Operates in 8-12 GHz range with wavelengths of 2-4 cm.

– Provides higher-resolution images with shorter wavelengths.

Applications in Meteorology – Detects smaller particles (e.g., rain droplets, fog).

– Monitors cloud movement, storm tracking, and intensity (e.g., rainfall).

Limitations of X-Band Radar Shorter range due to rapid attenuation of higher frequency radiation.
NISAR Project – Joint NASA-ISRO project to map Earth’s landmasses using radar imaging.

– Satellite will carry L-band (1.25 GHz) from NASA and S-band (3.2 GHz) from ISRO.

Expected Launch of NISAR – Scheduled for 2025 via ISRO’s GSLV Mk II rocket.

– Total cost of $1.5 billion, mainly funded by NASA.

Wayanad Gets Advanced X-Band Radar_4.1

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