The National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL), Department of Space, Gadanki, Andhra Pradesh is currently engaged in the development of an X-Band Polarimetric Radar at a cost of Rs.10 crore to study cloud formation and rainfall pattern.
The objective is to make accurate weather prediction at the regional level, benefiting aviation and agriculture, according to A. Jayaraman, Director of NARL.
Dr. Jayaraman spoke to newspersons on the sidelines of the National Level Technical Symposium organised by the Science and Humanities Association at the Thanthai Periyar Government Institute of Technology (TPGIT) here on Thursday.
He said as part of the project, NARL has put up automatic rain gauges in 40 villages in Chittoor district in and around Gadanki where the laboratory is located.
The aim of the radar is to understand cloud formation, and why it rains in some places and it does not in other places.
While the radar would be useful in aviation, through technology transfer, it could also be made useful to the Indian Meteorological Department for achieving a more accurate forecast of weather at the regional level, and benefit the farmers.
The NARL Director said that in recent times, the country has been witnessing extreme events such as prolonged drought and floods.
Project aimed at accurate weather prediction at regional level, to benefit aviation and agriculture
