Question : DOPPLER WEATHER RADARS

(a) whether the Government proposes to install hi-tech doppler weather radars in sensitive Himalayan region including Uttarakhand to get early alerts about cloudburst and heavy rain in higher reaches of the region;

(b) if so, the details thereof including the funds allocated for the purpose, State-wise;

(c) whether the Bombay High Court in its recent judgement has suggested the use of modern technology such as Global Positioning System (GPS) and satellite mapping instead of Doppler for predicting monsoon and weather; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto?

MINISTER FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES (Independent Charge) (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

(a) Yes Madam.

(b) Based on scientific assessment of the needs of observing system network, comprising Doppler Weather Radars, rain radars, Automatic Weather Stations (AWSs), Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs), Snow Gauges etc. expansion has been formulated by Earth System Science Organization –India Meteorological Department (ESSO-IMD), under its project Integrated Himalayan Meteorology Programme for Western & Central Himalayas. It covers Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The total budget proposed for the entire project is approximately 117 crores.

(c) No Madam.

(d) Does not arise.