The Ministry of Earth Sciences reported on 26 April 2026 that the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, inaugurated an X-band dual-polarization Doppler Weather Radar at the High Altitude Cloud Physics Laboratory in Mahabaleshwar under Mission Mausam. The radar was inaugurated on 24 April by M. Ravichandran in the presence of A. Suryachandra Rao, Somya S. Sarkar and senior scientists from IITM and ISRO. Installed at about 1,400 metres above mean sea level in the Western Ghats, the system will continuously scan rainfall, clouds and storm systems in real time. Mahabaleshwar is known for sudden rainfall, fog and strong winds, making the site useful for studying orographic rainfall, monsoon dynamics and deep convective processes over complex terrain. The radar can improve nowcasting up to three hours for Satara, Pune and parts of Konkan and Mumbai. It operates at 9.45 GHz and uses solid-state power amplifier technology, which the Ministry described as reliable, low-maintenance and energy-efficient for continuous operation. Dual polarization will help scientists study cloud microphysics, precipitation characteristics, drop-size distribution and storm structure. High spatial resolution and rapid update cycles will also support better quantitative precipitation estimates and hydrometeor classification. On the same occasion, IITM signed a memorandum of understanding with ISRO's Space Applications Centre to co-develop advanced satellite-based meteorological products. The collaboration will integrate satellite and ground observations, improve atmospheric and aerosol data validation, enhance prediction accuracy, and advance research on deep convection, lightning and climate-change impacts. Officials said the radar will strengthen early warning systems in ecologically sensitive and tourist-intensive areas, improve alerts for extreme weather, and support flood and landslide warnings, aviation safety, disaster management, agricultural advisories, water-resource planning and impact-based forecasting.