Jammu and Kashmir is set to witness a major upgrade in weather forecasting as the Centre rolls out a high-tech meteorological observation network across the Union Territory. The move aims to enhance early warnings for snowfall, avalanches, landslides, and flash floods in the Himalayan region.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences, is strengthening monitoring infrastructure by installing a dense network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), automatic rain gauges, lightning detection systems, and high-altitude snow sensors. Doppler Weather Radar coverage is also being expanded to track fast-moving western disturbances that frequently affect Kashmir during winter and spring.
Officials’ privy to the development told Rising Kashmir that forecasting in the Valley has historically been difficult due to complex topography, where weather conditions can change sharply within a few kilometres. The new system will collect real-time data on temperature, snowfall, humidity, wind and precipitation from remote mountainous locations such as Kupwara, Bandipora, Gurez, Sonamarg, Pahalgam and Kishtwar, significantly improving localised predictions.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Minister of State in the PMO, Dr. Jitendra Singh, recently stated that the Centre is prioritising Himalayan regions in its modernisation programme.
“Expansion of Doppler Weather Radars and automatic weather station networks in vulnerable hilly areas will ensure timely and accurate warnings reach people and local administrations well in advance,” he said, noting that improved forecasting is crucial for reducing loss of life and economic damage. IMD Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra said increased ground observations are the key to reliable mountain forecasting.
“Weather prediction over mountainous terrain requires dense data inputs. With additional stations and radar inputs, we will be able to issue more location-specific and impact-based forecasts,” he said.
The upgraded radar and observation network will help authorities monitor approaching snowstorms, cloudbursts and intense rainfall, allowing advance advisories for air traffic at Srinagar airport, traffic regulation on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and tourist safety in Gulmarg, Sonamarg and Pahalgam.
Officials said that the data will be integrated with satellite imagery and numerical weather prediction models and linked to mobile-based public alert platforms, enabling warnings, including heavy snowfall, lightning and flash floods, to be sent directly to citizens and district administrations.
The system will also strengthen avalanche forecasting in coordination with national snow monitoring agencies, a crucial requirement for north Kashmir habitations and security installations. Hydropower projects and flood control authorities in the Jhelum basin will use the data for reservoir regulation, particularly during spring snowmelt when river levels rise rapidly.
Agriculture and horticulture sectors are expected to benefit significantly. Weather-based advisories will guide orchardists and farmers on spraying schedules, irrigation and frost protection, helping safeguard apple and saffron crops from sudden temperature drops and untimely precipitation.
Officials said the expanded forecasting network marks a shift from relief-based response to anticipatory disaster management, enabling authorities to close roads, suspend travel or issue evacuation advisories hours before severe weather events, an increasingly important step as extreme weather incidents become more frequent in the region.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Automatic Weather Stations (AWS)
Automatic Rain Gauges,
Lightning Detection Systems
High-Altitude Snow Sensors,
Enhancing Doppler Weather Radar coverage to track WDs
