The India Meteorological Department (IMD), founded in 1875, is one of the oldest meteorological departments in world and completes 150 years of its formation successfully. The achievements of IMD in the course of the past century and a half include: formulation of sophisticated weather forecasting models incorporating new technologies and accurate climatology prediction. Over the past few years, IMD has started some programmes to enhance its capacity with better predictors. These are the use of better definition in weather modelling, installation of more automated weather stations, addition of satellite data in forecasting systems. Employment of accurate and precise equipment has boosted the rate of forecasting and has been crucial in sectors like agriculture and disaster management, safety and security services.
In the future, IMD still has expansion in the forecast outcomes as one of its goals. The agency wants to build the new generation models for predicting weather and make use of artificial intelligence and machine learning tools. These models will enable accurate and location specific weather prediction that will enable societies to plan well for activities during extreme weathers. This is also true for IMD, which is keen to meet the tasks that were set to combat the climate change. The agency is expected to intensify its climate research activities in the next year with emphasis on effects of climate on Indian climate and how to cope with them. This includes working with other global organizations and academic research institutions to address the exchange of research information and other elaborate practices.
As IMD is moving to the next level, the agency continues to pursue its goal of delivering proper meteorological data or information to the people of India. With sustained financial backing and added creativity, IMD has everything that is required to become a powerful instrument in the hands of the nation’s leadership to better prepare the various communities for the effects of a changing climate.
Brief history
The Indian Meteorological Department was founded as a branch of the British colonial government on 15 January 1875, it was functioning under the name of India Meteorological Department and it was only in charge of the collection and supply of meteorological information and weather forecasting for the Indian sub-continent. During the years IMD has emerged as one of the national and international leading centres for forecasting and studying the climate of India.
The early activity of IMD was to collect weather information from various weather stations all over the country. From this data, weather maps were made together with forecasts especially for agricultural and maritime use. When technology improved, IMD started using telegraph for posting weather information and later, even radio communication for the same.
In the 20th century, IMD new diverse research fields by developing institutes and laboratories for specialising its research. These centres dealt in different aspects of meteorology such as tropical meteorology, agro meteorology and climatology. IMD also served weather purposes during the Second World War by supporting military operations around the region.
The expansion of IMD in the post-independence period was characterising by expansion and modernization of the infrastructure. The first major turning point in the IMD was probably the computer-based weather prediction models which came into the IMD around the early 1980’s. These models facilitated accurate and timely weather prediction was of benefits in various areas like agriculture, disaster management and public safety.
Relevance of IMD in the study of Weather in India
This organisation helps in preparing predictions about weather of India and doing research in weather, climate and other meteorological phenomena. The agency’s forecasts are useful for strategic management and decision making activities such as agriculture, fisheries, aviation, and disaster management among others.
A major IMD service offering is meteorological event predictions which include cyclone, flood, and heat waves. These forecasts assist the authorities to intervene early enough so as to reduce the effects of such incidences on people and structures on their communities. For instance, through its accurate cyclone warning, IMD has avoided loss of many lives because citizens can plan to be evacuated or make necessary pre-preparations.
It is also involved in climate analysis by looking at the climate trends and effect of climate change on the country’s climate. The agency’s climate studies are very useful to the policymakers in as much as they assist in identifying the shift in climate for purpose of designing measures for managing climate change. IMD partners with national and international research institutes to study climate change and to share new information and experiences.
In the last few years IMD has adapted to these features and now actively applies technology to improve its work. The agency has also embraced specific high resolutions of weather models, automatic weather stations, and satellite data integration for better and competent weather forecasting. This advancement has put IMD in a vantage position in the weather forecast in the region.
Thus, the role of IMD inclusive of weather forecast and climate studies for the society is not only limited to the aspect mentioned above. It is also engaged in public dissemination of weather information where it informs the public through television, radio and social media. The Role of IMD in the process of increasing the level of preparedness of society in the subject of extreme meteorological situations has significantly contributed to strengthening the protection of citizens.
As IMD completes 150 years of existence it continues to strive for correct and timely dissemination of weather data to the citizens of the country. With the government support and enhancement the IMD should be ideally placed to chart the future of the country and prepare its various communities to face the existing climate change.
Major Achievements in the Last One and a Half Centuries
The Meteorological Department was founded in India on January 15th, 1875 by the British colonial government of India. This put the beginning of systematic data of weather forecasting in India which continued to increase and establish.
- Introduction of Telegraphy (Late 19th Century): Telegraphy was adopted by IMD for a better and faster way of collecting and exchanging the weather information. This also seemed to ease dissemination of weather information throughout the country.
- Radio Communication (Early 20th Century): Radio communication was also deployed as a result increased IMD’s efficiency in making timely weather forecasts and forecasted warnings.
- World War II Support (1940s): By early 1940s IMD was effectively supporting military operations in this region and played a significant part in helping through various operations during the World War II.
- Post-Independence Expansion (1950s-1960s): Soon after India achieved its independence in 1947, IMD has set up a number of offices for organizing number of specialized research and laboratory to study meteorology.
- Computer-Based Weather Prediction Models (1980s): One major event that was placed in IMD history was converting weather predicting models to computer based models in 1980s. Such models enabled issuing early and precise rather than approximate weather predictions.
- High-Resolution Weather Models (21st Century): Recent years, using high resolution weather models, IMD has enhanced its predictions of weather conditions.
- Automatic Weather Stations (21st Century): In this regard, IMD has raised an array of automatic weather station throughout the country to capture actual data and has improved the weather forecasting system.
- Satellite Data Integration (21st Century): IMD uses satellite data in forecast systems that are much more accurate as compared to traditional methods.
Major Achievements in the Weather Forecasting and Climate Sciences
- Accurate Cyclone Warnings: IMD’s accurate cyclone warnings over the years have helped avoid enormous loss and damage because people get to know early enough and take precautions. One achievement is the capability of the agency to forecast and observe cyclones.
- Flood Forecasting: IMD flood studying method has enabled persons in authority to undertake the relevant methods of preventing flood devastation on human life and property. This has been very important in cutting the losses brought about by floods.
- Heat-wave Alerts: Through its heat-wave alerts, IMD has minimized the exposure of vulnerable groups to heat thereby cutting incidences and fatalities from heat waves.
- Climate Research: IMD has done analysis on climate change and climate patterns for India and especially focused on weather change and weather patterns in the region. This research has contributed towards assessment of the climate change and has assisted policymakers in formulating policies on climate change adaptation and control.
- Public Awareness and Education: IMD has also been involved in sending weather alerts to the public through television, Radios and social media platforms. These include providing suitor information that has helped the society to be more prepared with regard to combating effects of weather-related disasters.
- International Collaboration: In order to disseminate knowledge and learn from what other institutes have to say and do in the field of meteorology and climatic change, IMD associates with national and international research organizations. This collaboration has helped IMD to remain on the cutting edge of weather prediction and climate study.
Recently Initiated Projects and Schemes of IMD
- Mission Mausam: Initiated with the view of making India ‘Weather-ready and Climate-smart’, the Scheme of Operation known as Mission Mausam is to improve weather observing systems, high density and high resolution observation system, next generation radars, satellites as well as high end computing systems. This is an effort towards IMD’s vision for the year 2047, so as to celebrate 100 years of India’s freedom.
- National Framework of Climate Services (NFCS): IMD has brought NFCS in order to safeguard important sectors through climate detection process. This has avails users sustainable architecture to timely and targeted exchange of climate information, enhancing significantly the delivery of climate services.
- Panchayat Mausam Sewa: A weather service to provide people at Panchayats of India the ability to get weather of their area at any given time with the plan of reaching every single house with weather. This initiative addresses possible scenarios through making the results available at the community level to farmers.
- Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS): Major pollutant substances are nitric-oxide, sulphur-dioxide, nitrogen-dioxide, suspended particulate matter, carbon monoxide and lead for which IMD has established an enhanced meteorological model to forecast the air quality index. This system assists in promoting sector-specific emission control measures to avoid the expected high AQI levels in the future.
- Automated Weather Stations and IoT Integration: Currently IMD has set up a meteorological automatons network along with IoT devices to enhance the quality of weather predictions. Such stations contribute to real time weather situations improving the forecast.
Progress in the field of Weather Prediction
- High-Resolution Weather Models: New at IMD, high-resolution weather models have been introduced with a horizontal resolution of 6 km to enhance the accuracy of the predictions. This enhances the ability to predict any weather event in a certain area as it is done per small regions.
- Doppler Weather Radars: the number of Doppler weather radars presently in service has risen up to 39 in 2024 compared to 15 in 2014. These radars give line by line special data about precipitation, wind speed and direction thereby increasing the chances of predicting calamities.
- Satellite Data Integration: To get a round-the-clock update on the weather, IMD has incorporated data from satellites such as Geostationary Satellites – INSAT 3DR & 3DS. It is integrated to present a richer picture and precise forecasts.
- Nowcast Initiative: Its new program called the ‘Nowcast’ offers short-term predictions in 1,200 cities, an increase from just 120 locations in 2014. This initiative is based on the local weather forecasts that are useful for coping with further changes of the weather in the near future within communities.
- Advanced Computing Systems: To support computational endeavours, IMD has incorporated High-Performance Computing Systems to analyse large amounts of geophysical data. Such systems improve the speed and accuracy of weather forecast that will in turn be of great help to other industries like farming, flying among others as well as in calamity response.
- Research Test-beds: IMD has established two research test bed at Bhopal and Mumbai for the understanding of monsoon process and clouds. These test beds support a better understanding of weather phenomena and enhance an accuracy of the corresponding forecast models.
Proposals for Improvement of the Weather Prediction System
- High-Resolution Weather Models: IMD will go on launching enhanced higher resolution weather models with even better horizontal resolutions. These in turn will help to make more accurate prediction of the weather conditions for the smaller territories, which will be more useful for the local populations and particular economy.
- Automated Weather Stations and IoT Integration: In the next five years, IMD will have more numbers of automated weather Station and more IoT devices. These will be seeking to offer real time weather information about different parts of the country, thus help in improving the forecast and reducing the error margin of weather affiliated calamities.
- Nowcast Initiative: IMD will ramp up the ‘Nowcast’ programme to deliver short-term predictions in even more places, including cities and towns. This initiative is a localized approach to weather prediction and is designed to assist communities to be proactive for the changes that weather is likely to bring within their region.
Measures for Climate Change Prevention and Response
- Climate Research and Monitoring: In particular, IMD will initiate new research activities to monitor the cyclical patterns of weather and climate change in the country. This research shall go a long way without helping climate change scholars predict the changing climate future to enable policy makers in the development of climate change adaptation and mitigation measures.
- Collaboration with International Organizations: As with any organisation, IMD will engage with national and international research institutions for knowledge exchange on climate science and innovations. This cooperation will ensure that IMD continues to observe the advancement of climate research and assist the world in fighting climate change.
- Climate Services for Critical Sectors: IMD will deliver climate services in order to safeguard sensitive segments such as agriculture, fishery and water. These guidelines comprise of developing strategies about climate change adaptations and providing climate information will help these sectors to counter climate change effects.
- Public Awareness and Education on Climate Change: IMD will also remain active in raising public awareness of climate change issues. This involves passing out information on adaptation and mitigation, sustainable practices, and climate resilience.