The Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved the installation of an X-band radar in Wayanad, Kerala region to prevent future disasters.

After devastating floods and landslides killed more than 200 people in Kerala’s Wayanad district in July 2024, the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences approved an X-band radar to be installed in the district. 

A torrential downpour triggered the landslide in the valley above Punchirimattom, near the Mundakkai region; its effects were compounded by a massive debris flow triggered by the rains.

What is Radar and How Does It Work?

Radar is short for ‘radio detection and ranging’. The device uses radio waves to determine the distance, velocity, and physical characteristics of objects around the device. A transmitter emits a signal aimed at an object whose characteristics are to be ascertained (in meteorology, this could be a cloud). A part of the emitted signal is echoed by the object back to the device, where a receiver tracks and analyses it.

X-Band Radar

The X-band radar operates using radio waves in the 8-12 GHz range of the electromagnetic spectrum. While these shorter waves produce clearer, high-resolution images, they have a limited range as the signal weakens faster. In Wayanad, this radar will be primarily used to monitor soil movement, aiding in landslide prediction and providing quick, accurate environmental data.