Doppler Weather Radar at Belonia: CM Flags Off Improve Cyclone, Rainfall Tracking project
Agartala Dec 31: In a major boost to Tripura’s disaster preparedness and weather forecasting capabilities, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Government of Tripura on Tuesday formalised two key agreements paving the way for the installation of a state-of-the-art Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) at Belonia in South Tripura district.
The exchange of land lease documents took place in the presence of Chief Minister Professor (Dr.) Manik Saha, with IMD Director General of Meteorology Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra outlining the significance of the initiative during a press conference at the Secretariat. The agreements were signed between the IMD and the state’s Revenue Department and Public Works (Water Resources) Department.
Today, India Meteorological Department(IMD) led by Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra Director General of
Meteorology and the Government of Tripura(GoT) exchanged land lease documents at the TIFT Conference Room for installation of a state-of-the-art Doppler Weather Radar. The radar will… pic.twitter.com/1cTzC5OoAI— Prof.(Dr.) Manik Saha (@DrManikSaha2) December 31, 2025
Under the agreement, the state government has provided 0.22 acres of land free of cost to the IMD for setting up the Doppler Weather Radar. Once operational, the advanced radar system will enable real-time, high-resolution monitoring of cyclones, heavy rainfall, cold waves and other extreme weather events, significantly improving early warning systems and disaster response mechanisms. The facility is expected to benefit not only Tripura but also neighbouring states such as Mizoram, Manipur and Assam.
I Earlier Report: Advanced X-Band Doppler Weather Radar to Be Installed in Belonia I
Dr. Mohapatra said the new radar installation would greatly enhance the accuracy of weather forecasts and strengthen advance preparedness against natural calamities, thereby helping safeguard lives, livelihoods and infrastructure.
In another major step, agreements were also signed to hand over three Automated Weather Stations (AWS)—currently under the Public Works (Drinking Water and Sanitation) Department—to the IMD for professional maintenance and integration. These AWS units, located in Gomati, Khowai and Dhalai districts, will be linked to the national weather data grid, a move expected to substantially improve flood forecasting, water resource management and data standardisation.
Highlighting future plans, Dr. Mohapatra said the IMD is working towards providing weather forecasts at the block and panchayat levels, with efforts underway to introduce panchayat-specific advisories. The Belonia radar will make it easier to issue localized, area-specific forecasts, particularly for smaller regions. Following the agreements, forecasts will be available at intervals of one hour, three hours and six hours, with outlooks extending up to 10 days in advance. Sector-specific forecasts for agriculture, transport, industry and other sectors are already being issued.
Currently, Tripura has 28 automated weather stations, and the state is exploring the possibility of installing 14 more to further strengthen its meteorological network.
Revenue Department Secretary Brijesh Pandey said the agreements mark a crucial step towards nationalising weather data and ensuring better coordination and management. He added that the collaboration with IMD will significantly enhance the state’s capacity to respond to weather-related challenges.
Among others present at the press conference were IMD Radar Project Head Soma Sen Roy, Additional Secretary of the Revenue Department Arun Kumar Roy, and State Disaster Management Authority Project Officer Dr. Sarat Kumar Das.