India Expands Coastal Radar Network to Boost Safety Against Cyclones and Tsunamis

As India grapples with the growing threat of cyclones and tsunamis, the government has taken decisive steps to enhance coastal safety by expanding its Coastal Ocean High-Frequency Radar Network (ICORN). To mitigate the risks posed by these natural disasters, the country plans to install six additional radar systems along the coasts of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Odisha, supplementing the existing ten radars currently in operation. The new radar installations, strategically positioned at Puducherry, Ennore Port, Pentakota Lighthouse, Visakhapatnam, Kalingapatnam Beach, and Paradip Lighthouse, are set to play a crucial role in monitoring coastal currents and wave patterns. These advanced radar systems will provide extensive spatial coverage, enabling the detection of surface currents up to 200 kilometers offshore and wave observations extending to 80 kilometers. This capability is vital not only for tsunami detection but also for assessing the potential impact of cyclones. The initiative is spearheaded by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) in Chennai, under the auspices of the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences. The integration of these new radars into the existing network will create a comprehensive coastal monitoring system, enhancing the ability to predict and respond to severe weather events. The existing network, which includes radars located at key points along the coasts of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and the Andaman Islands, was established following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami that claimed over 12,000 lives in India. This tragedy underscored the urgent need for improved coastal monitoring systems. Each radar will utilize cutting-edge technology, employing electromagnetic waves within the 3-45 MHz frequency range and utilizing the Bragg scattering principle to measure oceanographic parameters. The radars will operate with a spatial resolution of 6 kilometers and deliver updates every hour, providing real-time data that can be crucial for maritime operations and scientific research. The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) in Hyderabad will play a pivotal role in disseminating the data collected from these radar systems, ensuring that relevant information reaches stakeholders engaged in maritime activities as well as disaster management. The expansion of India's radar network reflects a growing recognition of the need for proactive measures in the face of increasingly severe weather patterns attributed to climate change. By enhancing its technological capabilities, India aims not only to improve early warning systems for tsunamis and cyclones but also to better anticipate the potential damage these events can cause. As the nation seeks to bolster its resilience against natural disasters, the integration of advanced radar technology stands as a significant step forward in safeguarding coastal communities and minimizing the loss of life and property in future crises.