Floods, Lightning And More: UP Seeks Its Own Satellite For Real-Time Alerts

News18

3 days ago

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to prepare a proposal for a dedicated state-specific satellite mission.
Why does Uttar Pradesh want its own satellite? On Tuesday, a devastating cloudburst near Dharali in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, triggered flash floods that swept away 20–25 hotels and homestays, left about 50 people missing and many feared dead. However, to ensure such tragedies do not catch UP unprepared, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to prepare a proposal for a dedicated state-specific satellite mission designed to provide real-time alerts for flash floods, lightning, and other climate hazards.
At the same meeting, the Chief Minister also gave the green signal to ISRO's Village Vaigyanik Karyakram (VVK) — a pioneering rural space education initiative that aims to nurture scientific curiosity and prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers from the state's villages.
The directive to ISRO's Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, came during a recent high-level review meeting in Lucknow. Chief Minister Yogi, while expressing concern over the frequent deaths due to flash foods or lightning, said, 'The state needs advanced tools to safeguard lives and livelihoods from recurring climate threats." He urged ISRO officials to submit a formal proposal without delay.
Dr Nilesh M Desai, Director of SAC, briefed the Chief Minister about the scope of the proposed mission, explaining how advanced satellites equipped with lightning-mapping systems and real-time flood monitoring capabilities could provide timely warnings to vulnerable populations. SAC is already piloting such systems in states like Bihar and Gujarat. For UP, officials say the proposed satellite could become a game-changer, especially in disaster-prone eastern districts where monsoon floods and lightning claim hundreds of lives each year.
Why UP Wants Its Own Satellite
Lessons from Uttarkashi tragedy: Not only in Uttarkashi, in UP, the flashfloods claims several lives in UP every year, hence there is a need for real-time early-warning systems.
Recurring floods in UP: Over 400 villages in 17 districts were submerged last month, affecting more than 80,000 people in 24 hours.
Lightning deaths highest in India: Uttar Pradesh records over 300 lightning-related fatalities annually — the highest in the country.
Geography demands special monitoring: With its vast river plains, dense population, and vulnerable rural settlements, UP requires a dedicated satellite to forecast disasters specific to its terrain.
Village Vaigyanik Karyakram: Space Science at Doorstep
Alongside the disaster-monitoring satellite, Uttar Pradesh is set to witness a quiet revolution in science education. The Village Vaigyanik Karyakram (VVK), developed jointly by ISRO's SAC and the Vyomika Foundation, will bring space science directly to rural classrooms. The programme will feature 'Space on Wheels" — mobile buses carrying interactive science models and exhibits — as well as seminars and webinars conducted by ISRO scientists.
Officials said that the Meritorious students will be taken on study tours to ISRO's Ahmedabad facilities, while a national-level student-led satellite payload project will involve 75 Basic Education schools from each district of the state. In addition, rural space laboratories will be set up in government schools to ensure that children from villages get access to the same opportunities as their urban counterparts.
'Our primary focus will be on 47 Chief Minister Model Composite Schools, 18 Atal Awasiya (Residential) Schools across all commissionerates, and PM Shri Schools, all of which are dream projects of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister," Dr Desai said.
Raj Bhawan to Host a Space Lab
Governor Anandiben Patel, who also met the ISRO team, requested the establishment of a space lab at the primary school inside the Raj Bhawan premises. The SAC team inspected the site and identified an area for the lab. She further recommended that the students of this school be taken on an exposure trip to SAC Ahmedabad to inspire them from an early age.
Astronaut Training Centre on the Cards
Another significant proposal came from ISRO Group Director Darshan K Patel, who suggested setting up North India's first Astronaut Training Centre in Uttar Pradesh. Such a facility, he said, would not only inspire the youth but also strategically place the state at the forefront of India's growing space-tech ecosystem. The Chief Minister responded positively, asking SAC to prepare a feasibility report for the ambitious project.
Engaging the Private Sector
In line with the Indian Space Policy 2023, ISRO has been actively involving private players in the space ecosystem. Dr. Desai underoted that under the aegis of INSPACe, startups such as Skyroot Aerospace, Pixxel, and Bellatrix Aerospace are contributing meaningfully to the national agenda. 'We are enabling access to government infrastructure, satellite data, and launch services through programmes like SBaaS (Space-Based as a Service), GSaaS (Ground Segment as a Service), and a Rs500 crore Technology Adoption Fund to de-risk innovation and fast-track commercialization," he said.
Towards a UP State Space Policy
ISRO officials also recommended formulating a dedicated Uttar Pradesh State Space Policy, similar to those already in place in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Gujarat. The Chief Minister welcomed the idea, seeing it as a way to boost space-tech startups, academic research, and industry collaboration in the state.
First Rural Lab Already a Success
The push for VVK builds on the success of India's first Rural Space Education Lab at Hasudi Ausanpur village in Siddharth Nagar district, set up in 2021 in collaboration with the Vyomika Space Academy. The lab, equipped with telescopes, VR-enabled learning tools, and working satellite and rocket models, has already inspired thousands of children. According to Gram Pradhan Dilip Tripathi, more than 10,000 students across 15 districts have benefited from such rural space labs. 'Our children, who once barely had exposure to basic science models, now dream of becoming scientists," he said.
Linking Space with Governance
top videos
View all
The ISRO team also briefed the CM on the Indo-US NISAR satellite mission, highlighting its potential applications in agriculture monitoring, water resource planning, and rural development — areas crucial for Uttar Pradesh's growth. Observers say the twin initiatives — the proposed disaster-monitoring satellite and the VVK programme — reflect a strategic shift in how Uttar Pradesh is seeking to integrate space technology into everyday governance.
'These efforts have the potential not only to save lives but to open a galaxy of opportunities for rural youth," said Vyomika Foundation Chairman Govind Yadav.
Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated!
tags :
ISRO UP floods uttar pradesh Yogi Adityanath
view comments
Location :
Lucknow, India, India
First Published:
August 06, 2025, 12:49 IST
News india Floods, Lightning And More: UP Seeks Its Own Satellite For Real-Time Alerts
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.