PARLIAMENT QUESTION: STRENGTHEING RADAR INFRASTRUCTURE IN KERALA

I have enough facts. Writing the note now.

PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Strengthening Radar Infrastructure in Kerala — UPSC Study Note

1. At a Glance

2. Why in the News

3. Background & Evolution

4. Core Static Facts

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Scientific / Technological - DWRs use Doppler effect to measure precipitation intensity + wind velocity; critical for nowcasting (0-6 hr forecasts) [S1]. - X-Band preferred for hilly terrain like Wayanad due to higher resolution despite shorter range [S1].

Administrative / Federal - Radar siting is a Union subject (MoES), but land/clearance depend on state cooperation — bottleneck for Wayanad site finalisation [S1]. - Inter-agency: IMD + ISRO + IITM (Pune) jointly run radars; e.g., IITM Mahabaleshwar X-Band under Mission Mausam [S2].

Environmental / Disaster Management - Kerala recorded 2018 floods, 2024 Wayanad landslide; densified radar net feeds into NDMA early-warning and IMD Impact-Based Forecasting [S1]. - Gap in Western Ghats means cloudburst events under-detected.

Economic - Avoided agricultural & infrastructure losses justify ₹2,000 cr Mission Mausam outlay [S3]. - Plantation economy of Idukki/Wayanad (tea, cardamom, coffee) particularly weather-sensitive.

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

7. Prelims Hooks

8. Mains Relevance

9. Related Topics to Study Next

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

11. Sources

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