IMD planning hyper-local weather forecasting system for Kishtwar, Ramban: CM Omar
Plans to install four additional Doppler Weather Radars and 34 automatic weather stations and snow gauges in J&K
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is planning to introduce a hyper-local weather forecasting system in the cloudburst- and landslide-prone districts of Kishtwar and Ramban in Jammu division, where natural calamities claimed several lives last year.
Replying to a question by MLA Sajad Shaheen in the Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the IMD is developing a hyper-local forecasting mechanism for Himalayan states, particularly to predict cloudburst-type rainfall events.
“In this regard, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has identified seven districts across Himalayan states. For Jammu and Kashmir, Ramban and Kishtwar have been selected. Past data on frequent cloudbursts, flash floods and landslides over the last 15 years is also available with the Meteorological Centre Srinagar,” the CM said.
Based on data collected over the past 15 years, mountainous districts in J&K have been categorised into high, medium and low-vulnerability zones. In the Jammu division, Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Reasi and Udhampur have been placed in the high-risk category. In Kashmir division, Anantnag, Kulgam and Ganderbal have also been identified as highly vulnerable.
To strengthen forecasting and early warning systems, the IMD plans to install four additional Doppler Weather Radars and 34 automatic weather stations and snow gauges in J&K. At present, three X-band radars are operational in Srinagar, Jammu and Banihal. The new radars are proposed for Doda, Rajouri, Anantnag and Baramulla to enhance severe weather monitoring and early warning capabilities.
Additionally, 26 automatic weather stations and eight snow gauges will be installed in remote areas of Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban, Rajouri, Udhampur, Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla and Shopian, supplementing the existing network of 14 manual and 34 automatic weather observation stations. The expanded monitoring network is expected to significantly improve forecasting accuracy and early warnings for hydro-meteorological disasters in the region.
Last year, over 100 people were killed in Kishtwar after a cloudburst struck the remote Chisoti village. Rescue operations continued for weeks, with several people reported missing.
Abdullah further informed that the Public Works (R&B) Department is initiating long-term and sustainable measures to mitigate damage to roads and bridges from future flash floods and cloudbursts. These measures include slope stabilisation through geo-technical interventions such as retaining structures, breast walls, gabion walls and bio-engineering techniques, as well as adopting disaster-resilient construction practices in infrastructure planning and execution.
Following last year’s flash floods, the NDMA deputed a team of experts to conduct a detailed Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) from November 17 to November 25, 2025. The report has since been submitted to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The Union Territory administration has also constituted an expert committee to carry out a Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (HVRA) covering multiple hazards, including earthquakes, floods, landslides, glacial lake outburst floods (GLOF) and forest fires. The committee will demarcate hazard zonation, prioritise short, medium and long-term interventions, and review existing plans and data systems to strengthen disaster governance in the region.
