The long-anticipated Doppler weather radar (DWR) was officially inaugurated in Sambalpur on Wednesday. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched this advanced ‘Make in India’ radar at Kainsir, with Union Minister for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh participating in the ceremony virtually.
This facility is intended to deliver real-time meteorological data and improve predictions for severe weather phenomena, including thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, and heavy rainfall. Majhi remarked, “The Doppler weather radar at Sambalpur holds significant regional importance. It will integrate a vast area of Odisha into the weather forecasting framework and enhance our capability for timely prediction and management of natural disasters.”
He also noted that this Doppler radar is the third of its kind in Odisha, following installations in Paradip and Gopalpur. The radar will operate continuously, offering precise weather updates within a 250 km radius and tracking weather systems up to approximately 450 km.
The radar’s services will especially benefit 13 districts, including Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Sonepur, Balangir, Boudh, Nuapada, Angul, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, and Dhenkanal, along with neighboring regions in Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh attended the event online, alongside Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari.