Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Odisha Inaugurates Third Doppler Radar To Strengthen Weather Forecasting
Odisha has opened a new machine in Sambalpur that helps scientists watch the weather.
It is called a Doppler Weather Radar.
The radar can collect accurate weather information within 250 kilometres.
It can also track weather systems as far as 450 kilometres away.
People in 13 Odisha districts and nearby areas of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh may benefit from its information.
The radar can help warn people about lightning, storms, heavy rain, hail and cyclones.
Farmers may use the warnings to protect crops and plan their work.
The system will also help manage water flowing into the Hirakud reservoir.
Odisha says it wants to improve disaster preparedness and reduce deaths from natural calamities.
Three more radars are planned for other parts of the state.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the state’s third Doppler Weather Radar in Sambalpur.
The radar will provide weather services to 13 Odisha districts and parts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
It can provide accurate weather data within 250 kilometres and track weather systems up to 450 kilometres away.
The facility will support warnings for thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, heavy rain and cyclones.
Odisha plans to install three additional radars at Bhubaneswar, Balasore and Paradip.
- Who
- Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the facility, with Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh and other officials attending virtually or in person.
- What
- A Doppler Weather Radar was inaugurated as Odisha’s third such facility, with three more planned.
- When
- The inauguration took place on Wednesday, September 16.
- Where
- Sambalpur, Odisha; the radar will serve 13 Odisha districts and parts of Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
- Why
- To improve weather forecasting, provide earlier warnings and strengthen disaster preparedness and natural-calamity management.
- Facility
- Odisha’s third Doppler Weather Radar
- Location
- Sambalpur
- Coverage
- Accurate data within 250 kilometres; weather systems trackable up to 450 kilometres
- Districts served
- 13 Odisha districts
- Forecast threats
- Pre-monsoon thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, heavy rain and cyclones
- Rainfall resolution
- Rainfall estimates at 150-metre resolution every 10 minutes
- Planned facilities
- Three additional radars at Bhubaneswar, Balasore and Paradip
- National expansion
- Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced 40 additional radars across India in the near future