150 Years of India Meteorological Department (IMD)

1. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), established in 1875, is celebrating its 150th anniversary on 14th January 2025.
2. Over the years, IMD has been instrumental in providing critical weather and climate services, especially in areas like disaster management, agriculture, aviation, and public safety.
3. As the National Meteorological Service of India, IMD plays a vital role in advancing meteorological science, ensuring the safety of lives, promoting economic stability, and addressing the impacts of climate change.

1. Historical Context and Foundation:

1. Establishment: IMD was founded in 1875 under the British colonial administration following a series of catastrophic weather events such as the 1864 tropical cyclone in Calcutta and monsoon failures in 1866 and 1871, which caused widespread devastation.
2. These events emphasized the need for organized meteorological services.
3. Objective: Initially, IMD's primary purpose was to provide weather forecasts for agriculture and disaster management, thus enhancing the safety and productivity of India's agrarian economy.

Key Achievements Over the Years : Improvements in Weather Forecasting (2014 - 2024)

Category	2014 Data	2024 Data	Key Improvements/Impact
Doppler Weather Radars	15 radars	39 radars	Enhanced radar network improves the tracking of severe weather events, especially cyclones and storms.
Automatic Weather Stations	675 stations	1,208 stations	Increased number of stations that measure temperature, humidity, wind, and rainfall, providing real-time data for improved forecasting.
High Wind Speed Recorders	19 recorders	37 recorders	More recorders to track strong winds, vital for monitoring cyclones and storms.
Rainfall Monitoring Stations	3,995 stations	6,095 stations	Increased stations provide detailed rainfall data, improving flood prediction and water resource management.
New Automated Systems	N/A	7 new automated systems	New systems, including heliport weather monitoring, enhance data accuracy and forecast reliability.
Geostationary Satellites	1 satellite (INSAT 3D)	2 satellites (INSAT 3DR and INSAT 3DS)	The addition of a second satellite improves continuous weather monitoring, providing up-to-date forecasts.
Resolution of Weather Models	25 km resolution (for large areas)	12 km resolution (for localized areas)	Higher resolution allows for more accurate local forecasts, improving prediction capabilities for towns and villages.
Heatwave Prediction Accuracy	50% accuracy (2 days in advance)	95% accuracy (2 days in advance)	Major improvement in predicting heatwaves with higher accuracy, enabling better preparedness.
Thunderstorm Prediction Accuracy	50% accuracy (hourly)	86% accuracy (hourly)	Enhanced accuracy in thunderstorm predictions, with improved hourly forecasting.
Heavy Rainfall Prediction Accuracy	50% accuracy (3 days in advance)	78% accuracy (3 days in advance)	Improved accuracy in predicting heavy rainfall, reducing the risk of floods and improving response strategies.
Cyclone Track Prediction Accuracy	N/A	Improved by 35-40%	Increased accuracy in predicting cyclone tracks, allowing for better warnings and saving lives during cyclonic events.

Vision for the Future: Vision 2047

IMD has set ambitious goals in its Vision Document 2047 to ensure India is weather-ready by the 100th year of independence in 2047:

1. Zero-Error Forecasting:

   1. IMD aims for zero-error forecasts for all severe weather up to 3 days in advance at the block level.
   2. Forecast accuracy goals for 2047:
      • 90% accuracy for 5-day forecasts.
      • 80% accuracy for 7-day forecasts.
      • 70% accuracy for 10-day forecasts.

2. Eliminating Human Fatalities:

   1. IMD aims to completely eliminate human fatalities caused by severe weather events by improving forecasting and issuing timely warnings.

3. Improved Weather Models:

   1. IMD plans to improve the resolution of its weather models from 12 km to 5-6 km by 2047, allowing for more detailed, localized forecasts at the village panchayat level.

Mission Mausam: Moving Towards Weather Management

1. Launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in January 2025, Mission Mausam represents IMD’s shift from just forecasting weather to actively managing weather.
2. This initiative aims to enhance the country’s preparedness for extreme weather events, climate resilience, and disaster mitigation.

Key aspects of Mission Mausam include:

1. Weather Modification:

   1. Cloud Seeding: IMD plans to use cloud seeding techniques to modify rainfall patterns, particularly in drought-prone areas.
   2. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune will establish a cloud chamber to study cloud formation and improve cloud seeding techniques.

2. Technological Innovations:

   1. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs): UAVs will be used to take weather observations in remote areas, enhancing data collection in regions where traditional equipment may not be deployed.
   2. IoT-based Sensors: These will be deployed across India to provide real-time data on weather conditions, even in hard-to-reach areas.
   3. Climate Reference Stations: IMD plans to set up regional climate stations for more accurate monitoring of local weather patterns.

3. Upper Atmosphere Monitoring:

   1. IMD will implement a 100 km x 100 km grid for upper atmosphere monitoring using satellites, radars, and wind profilers.

4. 100% Detection Capability:

   1. By 2047, IMD aims to achieve 100% detection capability for all weather phenomena, ensuring that no extreme weather event goes unnoticed and that accurate warnings are issued in time.

Major Contributions and Achievements: a. Advancements in Weather Forecasting: Cyclone Forecasting: IMD's cyclone forecasting has been exemplary. The department accurately predicted high-impact cyclones like: Phailin (2013) Hudhud (2014) Fani (2019) Amphan (2020) Tauktae (2021) Biparjoy (2023) Dana (2024) These advancements have resulted in reduced casualties. For example, cyclone-related deaths decreased from around 10,000 in 1999 to zero in 2020-2024 due to timely warnings and evacuations. b. Indigenous Technology and Self-Reliance: Radar Development: IMD pioneered the development of indigenous radars starting in 1958. Satellite Collaboration with ISRO: Since 1983, IMD has collaborated with ISRO to develop and utilize Indian satellite products. Automatic Weather Stations (AWS): These stations, developed since 2000, have played a key role in improving weather data collection. Doppler Weather Radar: Introduced in 2010, these radars have significantly boosted the country’s forecasting capability. c. Crowdsourcing and Public Engagement: In January 2021, IMD launched its Crowdsource Web Interface, allowing citizens to report weather phenomena. This initiative helps improve real-time weather information and forecasts. The Public Observation mobile app, launched in January 2022, enables the public to provide weather feedback, fostering community participation in weather monitoring. d. Agro-Meteorological Services: IMD enhanced its services for farmers with 200 Agro-AWS stations and has actively provided weather updates for agricultural planning, which is critical for India’s agricultural economy. District-wise Rainfall Monitoring Scheme (DRMS): Increased from 3,955 stations in 2014 to 5,896 stations in 2023.

Conclusion:

IMD’s 150-year legacy showcases its crucial role in safeguarding lives, supporting economic development, and advancing scientific research in India. The department has made significant strides in weather forecasting, climate resilience, and disaster management. Through initiatives like Mission Mausam and its Vision 2047, IMD is positioning India to be weather-ready and climate-smart by the nation’s centenary of independence. As India faces growing challenges from climate change and extreme weather events, IMD's commitment to innovation and service will continue to be a cornerstone of national resilience.

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