India Launches Indigenous SODAR Facility To Boost Weather Forecasting

India celebrated a significant milestone in atmospheric research with the launch of a Sound Detection and Ranging (SODAR) facility, developed by CSIR–Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute (AMPRI), Bhopal.

The facility was inaugurated at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) headquarters in New Delhi, in an event attended by leading figures from India’s scientific community, including Dr M Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at IMD, and Prof Thallada Bhaskar, Director of CSIR-AMPRI.

During the event, CSIR-AMPRI and IMD signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote collaborative research in atmospheric sciences, facilitate climate data exchange, and apply insights for disaster risk reduction.

Prof Bhaskar and Dr Mohapatra finalised the agreement, establishing a partnership aimed at transforming India’s meteorological research.

Dr N Kalaiselvi highlighted that SODAR cuts reliance on imports, boosting Atmanirbhar Bharat and scientific self-reliance.

Understanding SODAR Technology

SODAR is a ground-based remote sensing device that uses sound waves to measure wind speed, wind direction, and the thermodynamic structure of the lower atmosphere. The system emits acoustic pulses upward and analyses reflected echoes to provide precise data on wind patterns and turbulence. These measurements are critical for weather forecasting, environmental monitoring, and energy planning.

By deploying indigenous SODAR systems, India can maintain complete control over meteorological data, reduce costs, and gain customizable solutions tailored to the country’s diverse geography and climate challenges.

The launch also highlighted AMPRI’s achievements as a pioneering CSIR laboratory. Originally known as the Regional Research Laboratory, AMPRI has excelled in process innovations and advanced materials, including smart materials, nanostructures, and waste-to-wealth technologies.

Its international patents for radiation shielding materials using industrial waste showcase its innovative capacity. With SODAR, AMPRI is expanding into environmental sciences, reflecting its multidisciplinary research focus.

India’s diverse geography, from coastal regions to the Himalayas, demands localised and precise weather monitoring. Indigenous SODAR systems can integrate regional data with satellite and radar observations, improving forecast models, early-warning systems, and disaster preparedness.

Senior researchers praised the facility’s capabilities. Dr Ravichandran called it ‘very promising’, while Dr Mohapatra highlighted its potential to deliver more precise forecasts.

The collaboration between CSIR-AMPRI and IMD positions India to lead in climate science innovation domestically.

The SODAR facility will provide local forecasts to support farmers, planners, and industries and boost disaster resilience.

The AMPRI–IMD collaboration plans to deploy SODAR systems in climate-sensitive and data-scarce regions, validate other weather instruments, and enhance model accuracy. The network will support sophisticated meteorological studies and provide actionable data for societal planning.

The SODAR inauguration highlights India’s commitment to indigenous innovation, societal progress, and climate resilience.

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