New Weather Radars for J&K

Summary: On September 4, 2025, Union Minister of Science and Technology Jitendra Singh announced the installation of four additional radars to enhance weather forecasting in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir under the initiative known as Mission Mausam. The current radar network consists of three operational radars, with the precise locations and installation timeline for the new radars yet to be defined. This decision emerged following a video conference that involved stakeholders from the Ministry of Earth Science and local officials to discuss ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts in response to severe weather events impacting the region, particularly unprecedented rainfall, cloudbursts, and flash floods.

• Key Activities:

  • Virtual meeting focused on relief efforts for affected regions post heavy rain and flooding.
  • Inter-Ministerial Committee formed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah to evaluate damage and liaise assistance.

• Weather Impact:

  • The Jhelum River overflowed in Budgam district, leading to evacuation advisories in Srinagar for people residing in at-risk areas.
  • Several relief camps are operational to aid displaced individuals due to flooding.

• Monsoon Statistics:

  • The current monsoon season (June 1 to August 31) experienced rainfall 6% above the average of 70 cm, notably impacting northwest India, with regions such as Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu, Kashmir, Rajasthan, and Delhi receiving 26% more rain than typical.
  • The relentless monsoon pattern in northern India, which has caused significant devastation, is attributed to multiple western disturbances and atmospheric changes linking the Mediterranean and the Bay of Bengal.

• Long-term Trends:

  • The IMD noted an increasing trend in rainfall during September over the past decades, emphasizing heightened weather phenomena's potential persistence as per observations since 1980.

Overall, this initiative and developments reflect India's ongoing commitment to improving weather forecasting capabilities and disaster management in response to climate change's intensifying effects on weather patterns.

Important Points:

• Installation of four new radars in J&K under Mission Mausam for better weather forecasting.
• Current operational radars number three; specific locations for new radars not disclosed.
• Meeting convened by Jitendra Singh to review relief operations post floods and cloudbursts.
• Overflows of the Jhelum caused evacuation advisories in low-lying areas of Srinagar.
• Monsoon rainfall from June to August reported 6% above normal levels.
• Specific regions in northwest India experienced 26% more rainfall than usual.
• Severe weather attributed to a series of western disturbances and atmospheric systems from the Bay of Bengal.
• IMD indicates a trend of increasing rains in September, observed since 1980.