The India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Isro Telemetry Tracking And Command Network (ISTRAC) will collaborate on the design and development of 205 MHz wind profilers for IMD’s meteorological applications.
As part of the collaboration, this equipment will be installed at nine locations across India.
An MoU in this connection was signed on Wednesday.
Wind profilers use sound detection and ranging (SODAR) systems or radio detection and ranging (RADAR) systems to monitor wind speed, direction and conditions. They can detect these conditions at various levels above the ground – from sea level right up to the troposphere, or zero to 17 kilometres above sea level. Wind profilers are commonly used at airports and aircraft control centres.
The information is used to create three-dimensional models of the atmosphere which can be used to forecast weather patterns and track the movement of storms, the Ministry of Earth Sciences said.
Wind profilers can help improve weather forecasts by monitoring wind speed and direction at different altitudes. They can also provide early warning of hazards like dust storms, thunderstorms, and cyclones, ensuring timely evacuation of people from areas falling under the vulnerable zones.