Context: A yearlong celebration on the occasion of 150 years of IMD, will begin on 15th January 2024 and conclude on 15th January 2025. A logo commemorating 150 years of IMD will be unveiled by Honourable Minister of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
History of Indian Meteorological Department (IMD):
- In 1864, two formidable cyclones wreaked havoc in India, with one hitting Kolkata and the other striking the Andhra coast, causing the loss of more than one lakh lives.
- The Kolkata cyclone alone claimed an estimated 80,000 lives, marking it as one of the most destructive events at that time.
- Subsequently, in 1866, India faced severe drought and famine, leading to malnutrition and starvation among the population.
- While such calamities were not uncommon in 19th-century India, the severity of these events exposed the absence of a systematic approach to monitor atmospheric parameters and predict changes.
- These circumstances catalysed the establishment of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), which celebrates its 150th anniversary on January 15, 2024.
Evolution of Meteorological observations (1850s-1875):
- The British East India Company established meteorological observatories in Calcutta (1785) and Madras (1796).
- The Asiatic Society of Bengal, founded in 1784, played a key role in promoting meteorological studies.
- Captain Harry Piddington coined the term ‘cyclone’ in the mid-19th century.
- On January 15, 1875, the IMD officially commenced operations, employing Englishman HF Blanford as the Imperial Meteorological Reporter.
Organization:
- Headed by the Director General of Meteorology, the IMD operates through six Regional Meteorological Centres located in Chennai, Guwahati, Kolkata, Mumbai, Nagpur, and New Delhi.
- These centres focus on various functions, ranging from surface observations to processing satellite data and seismic monitoring.
- The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), is an agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Developed into a comprehensive organization:
Over the years, the IMD has evolved into a comprehensive organization, managing numerous permanent observatories and thousands of automatic weather stations nationwide.
While weather forecasting remains its core function, the IMD now extends its services to encompass a variety of specialized areas, providing crucial inputs for activities ranging from general elections and examinations to sporting events and space launches.
Integral role:
- The IMD's influence is evident across several sectors, including agriculture, railways, airways, shipping, power plants, and water management agencies.
- In the telegraph age, it made extensive use of weather telegrams for collecting observational data and sending warnings.
- Later IMD became the first organisation in India to have a message switching computer for supporting its global data exchange.
- India was the first developing country in the world to have its own geostationary satellite, INSAT, for continuous weather monitoring of this part of the globe and particularly for cyclone warning.
- Recent additions to IMD's portfolio include services for organizing major events, such as general elections. Notably, IMD's expertise is sought by the Election Commission of India for deciding election dates.
- The IMD has also played a crucial role in predicting favourable weather conditions for significant events, such as the launch of India's first moon mission, Chandrayaan-1, in 2008.
- The monsoon system, inherently complex, has become more erratic and difficult to predict. Despite these challenges, the last 15 years have witnessed significant improvements in IMD's capabilities, evident in more accurate forecasts.
- The IMD's dedication to preventing the recurrence of disasters, such as the 1999 Odisha super cyclone, has led to substantial investments in time, manpower, and technology.
- The IMD holds immense significance by directly supporting the farming community through accurate monsoon predictions and aiding disaster management with timely forecasts of extreme weather events.
- It is a key player in offering precise weather predictions, studying climate change effects in India, and contributing to various nation-building activities.
Recent Initiatives:
- Introduced by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the Mausam app enhances the dissemination of weather forecasts and warnings, providing accessible weather information to the general public.
- IMD has commissioned ten indigenously built X-Band Doppler Weather Radars, designed and developed by ISRO. These radars, strategically placed over the Himalayas, monitor atmospheric variations and extreme weather events, offering timely forecasts and warnings for disaster preparedness.
- Launched in 2012, the National Monsoon mission aims to develop a cutting-edge dynamical prediction system for monsoon rainfall on different time scales, fostering partnerships between Indian and foreign institutes.
While celebrating its 150th anniversary, the IMD continues its commitment to advancing meteorology in India. The emphasis on understanding and predicting the monsoon remains a core objective, driven by advancements in technology, investments in personnel, and a dedication to preventing disasters.