भारतीय उष्णदेशीय मौसम विज्ञान संस्थान
Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
पृथ्वी विज्ञान मंत्रालय, भारत सरकार का एक स्वायत्त संस्थान An Autonomous Institute of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India
Mumbai Radar and MESONET
Background
Mumbai and its surrounding regions frequently experience heavy rainfall during the monsoon season (June to September), with occasional extreme downpours causing significant damage to life and property. To provide real-time, high-resolution rainfall data for Mumbai and neighbouring areas, a dense network of automatic rain gauge has been established. In addition, IITM has also established India’s first urban weather radar network. This network consists of four short-range X-band polarimetric radars strategically placed at different locations (Ville Parle, Navi Mumbai, Vasai Virar, and Kalyan Dombivilli) in the Mumbai megacity. These radars are separated 30 km apart to ensure continuous radar surveillance of the entire Mumbai region.
Objectives of Urban Radar Network
To establish first urban radar network in India for high-resolution (less than 5 min and at every 250 m) rainfall mapping in Mumbai.
Share high-resolution rainfall maps in real-time with all concerned departments for nowcasting, flood warning and disaster management. Radar rainfall information to made available in Mobile Apps for public.
Radar observation of high temporal and spatial resolutions has shown great potential to drive flood forecasting using hydrological models.
Radar network data will help understand heavy rainfall processes over urban region.
About Us
The Atmospheric Research Testbed – Mumbai Radar and MESONET Network, led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, is a pioneering initiative aimed at improving real-time rainfall monitoring and urban weather forecasting in the Mumbai metropolitan region. Recognizing the challenges posed by extreme monsoon rainfall and urban flooding, IITM has established India’s first urban weather radar network, comprising four short-range X-band polarimetric radars strategically located at Ville Parle, Navi Mumbai, Vasai Virar, and Kalyan Dombivli. These radars are positioned approximately 30 km apart to provide seamless, high-resolution rainfall coverage across the city. Complementing this, a dense MESONET of automatic rain gauges has been deployed to deliver high-frequency, ground-based rainfall observations. Together, these observational systems serve as a robust platform for real-time data sharing with disaster management agencies and civic bodies, supporting flood forecasting, nowcasting, and urban resilience planning. This effort highlights IITM’s commitment to advancing urban weather monitoring through cutting-edge technology and institutional collaboration.
Publications
Guttula, Chiranjeevi, K. Sunilkumar, and Subrata Kumar Das. "Rainstorm characteristics using MESO-scale rain gauge NETwork (MESONET) over Mumbai." Urban Climate 61 (2025): 102385.
Kumar, K. Sunil, Subrata Kumar Das, Sachin M. Deshpande, Medha Deshpande, and G. Pandithurai. "Regional variability of precipitation characteristics in tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean from GPM-DPR measurements." Atmospheric Research 283 (2023): 106568.
Sunilkumar, K., Subrata Kumar Das, Prasad Kalekar, Yogesh Kolte, U. V. MuraliKrishna, Sachin Deshpande, K. K. Dani et al. "A MESO-scale Rain gauge NETwork-MESONET over Mumbai: Preliminary results and applications." Urban Climate 41 (2022): 101029.
Research Highlights
Ref: Guttula, Chiranjeevi, K. Sunilkumar, and Subrata Kumar Das. "Rainstorm characteristics using MESO-scale rain gauge NETwork (MESONET) over Mumbai." Urban Climate 61 (2025): 102385.
Ref: Sunilkumar, K., Subrata Kumar Das, Prasad Kalekar, Yogesh Kolte, U. V. MuraliKrishna, Sachin Deshpande, K. K. Dani et al. "A MESO-scale Rain gauge NETwork-MESONET over Mumbai: Preliminary results and applications." Urban Climate 41 (2022): 101029.
MESONET RAINGUAGE NETWORK
Team
Project: MESO scale Rain gauge NETwork (MESONET)
Project Director: Dr. B. Padmakumari, Scientist-F
Dr. B. Padmakumari Scientist-F
padma@tropmet.res.in
Phone No - +91-(0)20-25904259 View profile
Dr. Sachin M. Deshpande Scientist-F
sachinmd@tropmet.res.in
Phone No - +91-(0)20-25904234 View profile
Dr. Subrata Kumar Das Scientist-F
subrata@tropmet.res.in
Phone No - +91-(0)20-25904480 View profile
