India sets up first ever avalanche monitoring radar in Sikkim
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Gangtok: The Indian Army and the Defence Geoinformatics and Research Establishment (DGRE) have installed an Avalanche Monitoring Radar, the first of its kind in India, in north Sikkim. The device will detect avalanches and landslides.
It is installed at one of the forward posts of the army at an altitude of 15,000 feet. The disaster will be detected within three seconds of its triggering. It uses a series of short microwave pulses which are scattered at the target.
The radar can permanently scan the targeted slope for avalanche release and track its path and its size in case it is triggered. It can also see through snow, fog, and darkness. The device is being called an all-weather solution that covers an area of 2 sq/km. Linked to an alarm system that enables automatic control and warning measures, the device will record images and videos for future analysis.
Defence spokesman Lt. Col Mahendra Rawat said Tri Shakti Corps commander, Lt Gen Tarn Kumar Aich inaugurated the radar. He added that the radar can save the valuable lives of troops and civilians.
"It was made operational by Defence Research and Development Organisation's wing DGRE, which is involved in forecasting and mitigation of avalanche hazards faced by Indian Army in the Himalayan region," he further said.