A Doppler Weather Radar (DWR), the first in Sikkim was installed at National Institute of Technology Sikkim, Ravangla for accurate predictions of monsoons, cyclones, avalanches, and other weather-related phenomena. Prof. Mahesh Chandra Govil, Director, NIT Sikkim and Dr. Pramod Kumar Satyawali, Outstanding Scientist and Director, Defence Geoinformatics Research Establishment (DGRE) Chandigarh under the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Ministry of Defence, Government of India, in presence of Scientists and officials of DGRE, DRDO, IMD and the Faculty, staff and students of NIT Sikkim inaugurated the Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) facility on April 2, 2024 at NIT Sikkim, Ravangla. This is the first DWR facility created by DRDO. The DWR will play an important role in detecting and forecasting mountain weather over Sikkim, since it can probe the atmosphere with very high spatial and temporal resolution. The products of the DWR shall be used for generating mountain weather at high spatial and temporal resolution and will be a major input for the avalanche prediction for the snow bound avalanche prone areas of Sikkim Himalaya. The forecast will be helpful both for the defence users as well as state authorities for taking necessary steps in the event of extreme weather conditions over the area. The DWR facility has been created by DGRE (DRDO) Chandigarh as a part of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between DGRE and NIT Sikkim.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NIT Sikkim and DGRE (DRDO) was signed in the month of November 2021, under which the facility has been created. Other objectives of the MoU include utilization of DWR products for research and development, information sharing and developing new products by both the institutions related to these areas for mutual advancement.

In the inaugural function of the DWR, Dr. Satyawali, Director DGRE appreciated the efforts of NIT Sikkim, highlighted the benefits of the newly inaugurated DWR and emphasized its significance for NIT Sikkim, mentioning its potential utilization by students and faculties for their forthcoming research and development endeavor. Prof. Govil, Director NIT Sikkim also highlighted the advantages of the DWR and its utility in the field of meteorology, disaster management, and environmental monitoring. The facility will add to accurately detect and track weather phenomena, enhance our understanding of atmospheric dynamics and empower stockholders to make informed decisions that can save lives and protect property, he added. The function was concluded with vote of thanks by the Project Director of the facility Dr M S Shekhar, Scientist, DGRE.

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