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India Meteorological Department Celebrates 150 Years of Weather Innovations and Technological Advancements

IndiaIndia Meteorological Department Celebrates 150 Years of Weather Innovations and Technological Advancements

From Rain Gauges to Radar: How the IMD Became a Global Leader in Weather Forecasting

New Delhi: The India Meteorological Department (IMD), a pioneering institution in weather forecasting, marks a significant milestone of 150 years since its inception on January 15. From its humble beginnings in 1875, which involved just a handful of rain gauges, the IMD has evolved into a global powerhouse that rivals the best weather agencies worldwide. Established in response to devastating natural calamities such as the cyclone of 1864 and monsoon failures in 1866 and 1871, the IMD’s journey reflects a relentless commitment to enhancing weather prediction capabilities and safeguarding lives.

The transformation of IMD’s services is a testament to its dedication to technology and innovation. Currently, the department operates a sophisticated network comprising 39 Doppler Weather Radars, state-of-the-art INSAT 3D/3DR satellites for real-time cloud analysis, and an extensive array of over 806 Automatic Weather Stations. As outlined in its 2023 report, the IMD also employs 5,896 rain monitoring stations and 83 lightning sensors, ensuring that it remains at the forefront of meteorological advancements.

Unprecedented Achievements in Weather Forecasting

Over the last decade, the IMD has achieved remarkable progress in the accuracy of severe weather forecasting. The Director General of IMD, Mrutyunjaya Mohapatra, highlighted that significant advancements in observation techniques, communication tools, and numerical weather prediction models are pivotal to these enhancements. As a result, forecast accuracy for severe weather events has improved by approximately 50 percent in 2023 when compared to 2014. Such improvements have led to considerable reductions in casualties and property losses during extreme weather occurrences.

In terms of specific accuracy metrics, by 2023, the IMD’s five-day forecast accuracy has matched that of a one-day forecast in 2017, with cyclone landfall forecasts exhibiting zero errors in many instances—maintaining a margin of 20 kilometers for 24-hour forecasts. This advancement is indicative of the IMD’s robust predictive capabilities, with 80 percent accuracy for heavy rainfall forecasts and 88 percent accuracy for extreme temperature events like heatwaves and cold waves.

To make this critical information accessible to the general public, the IMD has introduced various mobile applications such as ‘Mausam,’ which provides tailored weather forecasts for specific locations across the country. This approach ensures that the public can easily access vital forecasting information in a user-friendly manner.

A Global Leader in Meteorological Services

Unlike many developed nations with more predictable weather patterns, India’s complex tropical climate presents unique challenges for accurate weather prediction. M. Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, emphasized that compared to Europe, India’s weather variations create a more challenging forecasting environment. Nonetheless, the IMD has established itself among the top three weather agencies globally, alongside the National Weather Service of the United States and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

As per the report by NDTV, Mr. Mohapatra indicated that in 2010, the IMD’s cyclone forecasting accuracy was significantly lower than that of its US counterparts. However, they have now surpassed the US National Hurricane Centre by 30 percent in forecasting accuracy, showcasing IMD’s impressive progression in technological advancements and meteorological expertise.

The IMD’s reach doesn’t stop at Indian borders; it extends its life-saving forecasts and warnings to 13 countries in the North Indian Ocean and offers weather services to nations within the SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation). The department actively collaborates with countries such as Nepal, the Maldives, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Mauritius to develop early warning systems aimed at minimizing the impacts of extreme weather events.

Embracing the Future: ‘Mission Mausam’

In light of the escalating unpredictability of weather patterns due to climate change, the IMD is embarking on a transformative initiative known as ‘Mission Mausam.’ This ambitious project focuses on enhancing weather understanding and forecasting by expanding observational networks, refining modeling techniques, and incorporating advanced technologies such as AI and machine learning.

The plans under Mission Mausam include the establishment of a laboratory for artificially developing clouds, increasing the number of weather radars by over 150% and adding new satellites, supercomputers, and other state-of-the-art technological innovations. The overarching aim is not merely to predict weather but to manage it effectively, making India more resilient and climate-savvy, as noted by Ravichandran.

Throughout its 150-year journey, the IMD has not only made significant strides in weather forecasting but has also contributed immensely to the safety and well-being of the Indian populace. With its cutting-edge technology and commitment to continuous improvement, the IMD is well-positioned to tackle the challenges posed by climate change and unpredictable weather patterns in the future.

For more in-depth information on global meteorological services, refer to[World Meteorological Organization](https://www.wmo.int) and[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)](https://www.noaa.gov).

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