Sambalpur Gets Odisha’s Third Doppler Weather Radar

A new Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) has been commissioned in Sambalpur to enhance Odisha’s ability to monitor and forecast severe weather conditions. Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the indigenously developed, ‘Make in India’ radar at Kainsir on Wednesday.

The advanced system will deliver real-time meteorological data and support early detection of thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, intense rainfall and other extreme weather phenomena. The facility is expected to strengthen preparedness and response to weather-related disasters.
Highlighting its regional significance, Majhi said the Sambalpur radar would bring a wider part of Odisha under advanced weather surveillance and improve the state’s ability to anticipate and manage natural calamities.
The radar will operate continuously and provide detailed weather information within a range of about 250 km, while weather systems can be tracked from distances of nearly 450 km.

Its coverage is expected to benefit 13 districts—Sambalpur, Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, Deogarh, Sonepur, Balangir, Boudh, Nuapada, Angul, Kalahandi, Keonjhar and Dhenkanal. Neighbouring regions of Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand will also come under its monitoring range.
With the addition of the Sambalpur facility, Odisha now has three Doppler weather radars. The other two are located at Paradip and Gopalpur.
Union Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh joined the inauguration virtually, while Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari attended the event in person.