On January 15, 2024, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), celebrated its 150th Foundation Day commemorating 150 years of its establishment and service to the nation.
The inaugural ceremony celebration of 150th years of IMD’s establishment was held at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
Key People: Jagdeep Dhankar, Vice President of India, graced the event as the Chief Guest and Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, MoES was the Guest of Honour. Around 1,200 delegates from across India participated in the event.
Background:
i.IMD was established in 1875 as one of the 1st scientific departments of the Government of India.
ii.To commemorate the 150 years of service, IMD has proposed to celebrate the event throughout India in all its sub-offices, over a year starting from 15th January 2024 to 15th January 2025.
Highlights of the event:
i.During the event, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankar Released the theme song of IMD, highlighting its evolution and services provided for India and the international community in the principle of “Sarvajan Hitay Sarvajan Sukhay” i.e. “Commitment to work for the Welfare of All”.
- He also Launched the Souvenir on Evolution of IMD and its services since 1875.
ii.VP also released and launched the following,
Indigenously developed Decision Support System – WAFES:
IMD developed an in-house Web-Geographic Information System (GIS)-based integrated Decision Support System (DSS) called Weather Analysis and Forecast Enabling System (WAFES), inspired by Pancha Mahabhuta i.e. Water, Air, Fire, Earth and Sky.
About WAFES:
i.It is a visualization platform, aiding decision-making for severe weather events and their socio-economic impact.
ii.The system includes modules like Meteorological Information Communication System (MICS), Data Information Processing System (DIPS), Synthesized Integrated Visualization System (SIVS), and Public Weather Information System (PWIS).
iii.It offering real-time information for sectors like Urban, Power, Hydrology, Health, Energy, Agriculture, Transport, and Tourism under the “UPHHEATT” initiative.
Panchayat Mausam Seva Portal for farmers:
The Panchayat Mausam Sewa Portal(https://mausam.imd.gov.in/greenalerts) was jointly developed by IMD, MoES, Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), and Green Alert Mausam Sewa.
The portal offers weather forecasts in English, Hindi, and 12 regional languages to every panchayat head and secretary.
- It aids farmers in planning agricultural activities, reducing input costs, minimizing crop loss, and boosting production and income.
IMD’s Mobile App and Mausam gram:
IMD launched MAUSAM, an integrated GIS based mobile app and released Mausam Gram in line with programme of “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikaas” during the event.
- Mausam Gram is available through the Mobile App “Mausam”.
About MAUSAM App:
i.It offers weather services in 12 Indian languages, covering current weather, hourly to 7-day forecasts, and various advisories.
ii.It allows users to view observations, forecasts, and warnings for their location through a map or search function.
iii.The forecasts are available on an hourly, 3-hourly, and 6-hourly basis upto next 10-days,
National Framework of Climate Services (NFCS)
IMD launched National Framework of Climate Services (NFCS) to control losses due to climate hazards and extreme weather events.
Aim: To strengthen the production and delivery of science-based climate monitoring and prediction services for sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, and disaster management.
Key Points:
i.IMD plays a major role in providing Early warning to more than 90% population in India.
ii.IMD also provides weather forecast services to foreign countries in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Middle east and many more.
iii.IMD prepares the climatology of basic meteorological parameters like rainfall, temperature, wind & pressure and the climate extremes. It is updated once every 10 years.
iv.Since 2021, IMD provides climate forecast for each month and season based on the dynamical multi model ensemble climate forecast system.
v.IMD is also providing services to Power & Renewable Energy Sector to minimze the losses and improves the economy, in line with the Government of India’s ‘Lifestyle for the Environment (LiFE)’ Scheme.
Recent Related News:
i.The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched 2 new initiatives, Green Credit Program (GCP) and the Ecomark Scheme to encourage sustainable practices rooted in tradition and conservation and promote the ideas of ‘LiFE’ – ‘Lifestyle for Environment’ movement.
ii.On October 16, 2023, Union Minister Raj Kumar (RK) Singh for Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), and Ministry of Power launched a new Electric Vehicle (EV)-Ready India Dashboard (evreadyindia.org) from New Delhi, Delhi.
About India Meteorological Department (IMD):
Director General of Meteorology– Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra,
Headquarters– Delhi
Establishment– 1875
