Tamil Nadu is gearing up to install five new Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) to bolster weather forecasting and disaster preparedness across the state. These radars, to be stationed in Kanyakumari, Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore, Yercaud, and Ramanathapuram, aim to strengthen cyclone tracking, rainfall monitoring, and early warning systems. The initiative includes three radars under the Central government’s “Mission Mausam” program and two through a special effort by the Tamil Nadu Disaster Risk Reduction Agency.
The addition of these radars is expected to significantly improve weather monitoring in vulnerable areas with limited radar coverage. Currently, Tamil Nadu is monitored by eight Doppler weather radars, with some located within the state and others in neighboring regions. The new installations will address gaps in coverage, particularly in central and southern districts like Tiruchirappalli and Kanyakumari, which are prone to cyclones and heavy rainfall.
Officials highlighted the importance of selecting new radar locations based on factors such as continuous weather monitoring, increased radar density in critical regions, and better coverage in disaster-prone and densely populated areas. The move also involves replacing outdated equipment and ensuring redundancy in high-risk zones. With these enhancements, Tamil Nadu’s weather surveillance network is poised to provide more accurate forecasts, strengthen early warning capabilities, and improve responses to cyclones and extreme weather events.
