The India Meteorological Department (IMD) New Delhi inaugurated an indigenously developed SODAR (Sound Detection and Ranging) system, developed by CSIR-AMPRI (Advanced Materials and Processes Research Institute), Bhopal. This marks a significant step under India's Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative for meteorological instruments.
SODAR is an acoustic remote sensing technique that uses sound waves to measure wind speed, wind direction, and turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer — typically from a few metres above ground to about 1,000–2,000 metres altitude. Unlike radar which uses electromagnetic waves, SODAR transmits acoustic pulses skyward and analyses the backscattered sound to build a vertical profile of the lower atmosphere.
The indigenous SODAR system is critical for multiple applications: (1) Weather forecasting and aviation safety — measuring low-level wind shear relevant to aircraft take-off and landing; (2) Air quality and pollution dispersion modelling — understanding how pollutants diffuse in urban areas like Delhi; (3) Wind energy site assessment — identifying optimal altitudes for wind turbines; (4) Climate research — long-term boundary layer observations for climate models.
CSIR-AMPRI, headquartered in Bhopal, is a premier CSIR laboratory specialising in advanced materials, ceramics, and instrument development. Its development of SODAR fills a critical import-substitution gap, as such systems were previously procured from foreign vendors at high cost.
This development aligns with India's push for Atmanirbhar meteorological infrastructure, alongside other recent achievements such as the development of indigenous weather satellites, Doppler weather radars, and radiosondes. The IMD has been undergoing significant modernisation, with over 37 Doppler Weather Radars deployed across India as part of Mission Mausam.