Lok Sabha Question No. 49 (STARRED), answered on 2015-12-02
Subject: Doppler Radar System
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: BAIJAYANT "JAY" PANDA

- *49.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION No. *49

TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2015

## DOPPLER RADAR SYSTEM

- SHRI BAIJAYANT JAY PANDA:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  Doppler  Radar  Systems  (DRSs)  installed  in various parts of the country at present as well as the timelines drawn for commissioning latest DRSs;
- (b) whether various DRSs including the one in Delhi is not functioning for a long time;
- (c)
- if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the funds incurred on their installation and recent repair as well as  arrangements  made  for  annual  maintenance  contracts  for their smooth functioning?

## ANSWER

MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (DR. HARSH VARDHAN)

- (a) to (d):    A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT LAID ON THE TABLE OF THE LOK SABHA IN REPLY (a) to (d) TO STARRED QUESTION NO. *49 REGARDING 'DOPPLER RADAR SYSTEM' TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 02, 2015

- (a) As on today, 3 Nos. of polarimetric Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) systems at Delhi- Lodi Road , Jaipur and Srinagar  respectively, are functional along with 17  Nos.  non-polarimetric  DWR  systems,  respectively  at  Chennai,  Sriharikota, Machilipatnam, Visakhapatnam, Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Patiala, Delhi  Palam,  Lucknow,  Patna,  Mohanbari,  Agartala,  Bhopal  ,  Paradip  and Karaikal    in  other  parts  of  the  country.  DWRs  of  non-polarimetric  nature  at Goa, Bhuj , Gopalpur and Kochi are under installation. Additional DWRs will be placed in a phased manner based on resolution of issues related to land and associated infrastructure in various parts of the country.
- (b) Yes Madam.
- (c) DWRs installed at New Delhi (Palam), Hyderabad & Nagpur are non functional for  some time. However, DWR located at Lodhi Road is functional during the period for severe weather monitoring over Delhi region.

At times radars remain non-functional due to failure of support systems/critical spares/parts. As and when non-functionality scenario develops, the said 24X7 severe  weather  surveillance  is  carried  out  through  half-hourly  updates  of geostationary  satellites  (like  INSAT-3D)  and  other  polar  orbital  satellites covering India and its neighborhood. Although, endeavors are always made to ensure the uninterrupted functionality of various observing systems including DWRs over land and ocean, systems become dysfunctional at times. Prioritized action  will  always  be  launched  so  as  to  make  the  system  functional  with minimum break-downs to the extent possible.

- (d) The funds incurred on procurement of each radar of various brands is given below:

|   S.No | Brands                 |   Numbers of Radar Procured | Cost of Procurement of each radar (in Rs)   |
|--------|------------------------|-----------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
|      1 | Metstar Beijing DWR    |                          12 | 9.2 Crores                                  |
|      2 | Gematronik DWR         |                           4 | 18 Crores                                   |
|      3 | Vaisala C band DWR     |                           2 | 8.5 Crores                                  |
|      4 | S Band DWR BEL India   |                           5 | 12.5 Crores                                 |
|      5 | X Band DWR ECIL, India |                           1 | 2.44Crores                                  |

These DWRs have been maintained by the Earth System Science OrganisationIndia Meteorological Department (ESSO-IMD) staff only and no cost has been incurred on repairs. Efforts are on for exploring the option of outsourcing the Annual Maintenance Contract of DWRs.

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