**Executive Summary**
On April 24, 2026, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) inaugurated a state-of-the-art X-band Dual-Polarization Doppler Weather Radar at Mahabaleshwar under "Mission Mausam." This system is designed to provide real-time weather tracking and enhance nowcasting capabilities for up to three hours across regions including Satara, Pune, Konkan, and Mumbai. Additionally, an MoU was signed between IITM and ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) to co-develop satellite-based meteorological products and strengthen India's weather observation systems.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Radar Technical Specifications and Installation**
* **Location:** Strategically installed at the High Altitude Cloud Physics Laboratory (HACPL) in Mahabaleshwar, approximately 1400 meters above sea level.
* **Technology:** Operates at 9.45 GHz using solid-state power amplifier technology, ensuring high reliability, low maintenance, and energy efficiency.
* **Capabilities:** Features dual-polarization to provide detailed insights into cloud microphysics, drop size distribution, and storm structure with rapid update cycles.
**Operational and Research Functions**
* **Real-time Monitoring:** Functions as a "weather eye in the sky" to track rainfall, fog, and strong winds in the Western Ghats.
* **Nowcasting:** Supports improved quantitative precipitation estimation and short-term forecasting (up to three hours) for Satara, Pune, and parts of Mumbai.
* **Research Areas:** Enables the study of orographic rainfall, monsoon dynamics, deep convective processes, and vertical storm structures over complex terrain.
**Strategic Collaboration (IITM and ISRO-SAC MoU)**
* **Product Development:** Co-development of advanced satellite-based meteorological products and integration of satellite and ground-based observations.
* **Data Validation:** Focuses on improving atmospheric and aerosol data validation and enhancing prediction accuracy for lightning and climate change impacts.
* **Capacity Building:** The collaboration includes support for training and professional development in satellite meteorology.
**Impact Analysis**
**Local Communities and Visitors (Mahabaleshwar, Satara, Pune, Mumbai)**
**Impact**
Residents and tourists in ecologically sensitive and weather-prone areas will receive improved timely alerts for extreme conditions such as sudden rainfall and fog, significantly enhancing personal safety.
**Action Required**
Utilize the enhanced nowcasting alerts and early warning systems to plan travel and daily activities safely during extreme weather events.
**Disaster Management and Civic Authorities**
**Impact**
Authorities gain a strengthened early warning system for floods and landslides, facilitating more effective disaster management and impact-based forecasting.
**Action Required**
Integrate high-resolution radar data and nowcasting into emergency response protocols and regional safety planning.
**Scientific and Research Institutions (IITM, ISRO-SAC)**
**Impact**
Researchers gain access to high-quality data for validating climate models, studying cloud microphysics, and advancing meteorological science.
**Action Required**
Execute the provisions of the MoU to co-develop meteorological products and conduct joint research on atmospheric processes and climate change.
**Aviation, Agriculture, and Water Resource Sectors**
**Impact**
These sectors benefit from improved forecasting accuracy, which supports aviation safety, the creation of precise agricultural advisories, and better water resource planning.
**Action Required**
Incorporate the enhanced meteorological data and improved climate models into sector-specific operational planning and decision-making.
Key Entities Referenced
Mission Mausam: A national initiative focused on strengthening India's weather observation systems and improving forecasting accuracy.
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM): An autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences responsible for inaugurating the radar and leading weather research initiatives.
X-band Dual-Polarization Doppler Weather Radar: A state-of-the-art monitoring system deployed to enhance nowcasting, track storm systems, and study monsoon dynamics in real-time.
Space Applications Centre (SAC), ISRO: A key research center of ISRO that signed an MoU with IITM to co-develop advanced satellite-based meteorological products.
Mahabaleshwar: The strategic location in the Western Ghats where the High Altitude Cloud Physics Laboratory (HACPL) and the new radar system are situated.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
IITM Inaugurates X-Band Doppler Weather Radar
at Mahabaleshwar; Signs MoU with ISRO’s SAC
under Mission Mausam
Posted On: 26 APR 2026 1:37PM by PIB Mumbai
: Mumbai, 26th April 2026
The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES),
inaugurated a state-of-the-art X-band Dual-Polarization Doppler Weather Radar at the High Altitude
Cloud Physics Laboratory (HACPL), Mahabaleshwar, under Mission Mausam on April 24, 2026. The
system was inaugurated by M. Ravichandran in the presence of A. Suryachandra Rao and Somya S.
Sarkar, along with senior scientists from IITM and Indian Space Research Organisation.
Strategically installed at an altitude of approximately 1400 metres above mean sea level in the Western
Ghats, the radar will function as a “weather eye in the sky,” continuously scanning the atmosphere to track
rainfall, clouds, and storm systems in real time. It will play a crucial role in monitoring rapidly changing
local weather conditions in Mahabaleshwar, a region known for sudden rainfall, fog, and strong winds.
The system is uniquely positioned to study orographic rainfall, monsoon dynamics, and deep convective
processes over complex terrain.
The radar enhances nowcasting capabilities of up to three hours over Satara, Pune, and parts of the
Konkan and Mumbai regions. Operating at 9.45 GHz with solid-state power amplifier technology, it offers
high reliability, low maintenance, and energy-efficient continuous operations. Its dual-polarization
capability provides detailed insights into cloud microphysics, including precipitation characteristics, drop
size distribution, and storm structure. With high spatial resolution and rapid update cycles, it supports
improved quantitative precipitation estimation and hydrometeor classification.
On the occasion, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was also signed between IITM and the Space
Applications Centre (SAC) of ISRO to co-develop advanced satellite-based meteorological products. The
collaboration will focus on integrating satellite and ground-based observations, improving atmospheric
and aerosol data validation, enhancing prediction accuracy, and advancing research in areas such as deep
convection, lightning, and climate change impacts. It will also support capacity building and training in
satellite meteorology.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. M. Ravichandran emphasised that the radar represents a major advancement
in strengthening early warning systems over ecologically sensitive and tourist-intensive regions. He
highlighted its importance in improving timely alerts for extreme weather conditions and enhancing safety
for local communities and visitors. Director IITM, Dr. A. Suryachandra Rao, noted that the radar will
significantly enhance nowcasting capabilities and contribute to improving weather and climate models.
Director SAC–ISRO, Shri Somya S. Sarkar, highlighted that the collaboration will strengthen India’s
weather observation systems by combining satellite and ground-based technologies.Scientifically, the system will enable detailed research on rainfall processes, vertical storm structure, and
extreme weather events. Operationally, it will support early warning systems for floods and landslides,
aviation safety, disaster management, agricultural advisories, and water resource planning, thereby
strengthening impact-based forecasting and climate resilience in the region. This initiative marks a
significant step in advancing weather science, improving forecasting accuracy, and building resilience to
extreme weather events in India.PIB Mumbai | Edgar Coelho/Priti Malandkar
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