Recently, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) celebrated its 150th year of establishment and service to the nation.
Key Highlights of IMD’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations
- The Vice President of India took part in celebrations of the 150th years of the establishment of India Meteorological Department (IMD) as a Chief Guest.
- To commemorate the 150th year, the following initiatives were launched
- Weather Analysis and Forecast Enabling System (WAFES): It is anin-house Web-GIS-based integrated Decision Support System (DSS) inspired by Pancha Mahabhuta i.e. Water, Air, Fire, Earth and Sky.
- It provides real-time information for various sectors such asUrban, Power, Hydrology, Health, Energy, Agriculture, Transport, and Tourism under the “UPHHEATT” initiative (for the cause of welfare).
- Panchayat Mausam Seva for farmers: :To provide weather forecasts in English, Hindi and twelve regional languages to every panchayat head and panchayat secretary in every village of the country.
- IMD’s Mobile App MAUSAM: It is anintegrated GIS-based interactive mobile app for all weather-related services like current weather forecasts of every hour to 7 days.
- Mausam Gram available through the Mobile App “Mausam: It allows detailed weather observations, forecasts, and warnings to the public for their location through a map or search function using place names, pincodes, or coordinates disseminated in text and graphics format.
- National Framework of Climate Services (NFCS):To maximize utilization of climate information, as a part and parcel of all our activities, with special emphasis on disaster risk reduction, water, health, energy and agriculture management.
About the India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- It is the National Meteorological Service of the country and the principal government agency in all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects.
- It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.
- IMD is also one of the six Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organization.
- The Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) of Tropical Cyclones in New Delhi is responsible for naming the cyclones in the northern Indian Ocean region.
- The headquarters of IMD were later shifted to Shimla, then to Poona (now Pune) and finally to New Delhi
IMD’s Core Objectives:
- To take meteorological observations and to provide current and forecast meteorological information for optimum operation of weather-sensitive activities like agriculture, irrigation, shipping, aviation, offshore oil explorations, etc.
- To warn against severe weather phenomena like tropical cyclones, norwesters, duststorms, heavy rains and snow, cold and heat waves, etc., which cause destruction of life and property.
- To provide meteorological statistics required for agriculture, water resource management, industries, oil exploration and other nation-building activities.
- To conduct and promote research in meteorology and allied disciplines.
A Look at IMD’s History:
- A disastrous tropical cyclone struck Calcutta in 1864 and this was followed by failures of the monsoon rains in 1866 and 1871.
- In the year 1875, the Government of India established the India Meteorological Department, bringing all meteorological work in the country under a central authority.
- H. F. Blanford was appointed Meteorological Reporter to the Government of India.
- The first Director General of Observatories was Sir John Eliot who was appointed in May 1889 at Calcutta headquarters.
Advancements in Cyclone Forecasting
- The IMD experienced a pivotal moment in 1999 during the Odisha super cyclone, prompting significant investments in technology and manpower.
- Since then, cyclone-related casualties have notably decreased, attributed to IMD’s effective forecasts.
- IMD’s cyclone forecasts now serve not just India but the entire neighbourhood, with as many as 13 countries in the region operating their cyclone management systems using these forecasts.
- IMD’s enhanced capabilities have led to its recognition as the Regional Climate Centre for South Asia.
- IMD has partnered to contribute to the United Nations’ ‘Early Warning for All’ programme, for which 30 countries have been identified.
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