Disdrometer installed at Kangra airport to measure rain intensity

For the first time, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (ITM), Pune, has installed a state-of-the-art disdrometer at the Kangra airport in the Himalayan region. Airport Director Dhirendra Singh, along with IMD officials Vipan Sharma, IITM officials Dr Kaustav Chakravarty (Scientist-F), Harikrishna Devisetty (Scientist-B) and an airport team inaugurated the equipment.

A disdrometer is a sophisticated instrument used to measure the size, distribution and velocity of raindrops along with the rain intensity and rainfall accumulation in every 30 seconds, thereby providing critical data on precipitation microphysics.

The installation of the equipment aims to enhance the understanding of precipitation patterns and rain microphysics in the Himalayan region, which is prone to complex weather phenomena. The data collected will contribute to improving regional weather models, hydrological studies and climate research.

Talking to The Tribune, Kangra airport Director Dhirendra Singh said, “The disdrometer will support aviation safety by providing precise rainfall characteristics for better weather prediction in the airport vicinity and the Kangra-Dharamsala region.”