Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the 150th Foundation Day celebration of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on January 14, 2025, at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
He praised IMD’s 150 years of service, calling it a symbol of India’s growth in science and technology. On this occasion, he introduced ‘Mission Mausam,’ a project to make India a ‘Weather-ready and Climate-smart’ nation using advanced weather monitoring tools, high-resolution observations, modern radars, satellites, and powerful computing systems.
The Prime Minister also launched a special postage stamp and coin to mark the occasion. He released the IMD Vision-2047 document, which provides a plan for building weather resilience and adapting to climate change as India approaches its 100th year of independence in 2047.
IMD: Origin And Significance
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was founded in 1875 after severe weather events exposed the need for a centralized meteorological system. A cyclone in Calcutta in 1864 and monsoon failures in 1866 and 1871 highlighted the Indian subcontinent’s vulnerability to extreme weather conditions.
A Unified Approach to Meteorology
IMD’s creation marked a significant step in organizing meteorological work under one authority. It became a key player in the evolution of meteorology as a modern science. Over the years, IMD has continuously upgraded its methods, adopting advanced technology and conducting research to improve weather forecasts, climate analysis, and disaster management.
Contribution to National Development
IMD’s services have reduced the impact of natural disasters and supported critical sectors like agriculture, water resources, and aviation. By providing accurate weather and climate information, it has contributed significantly to India’s socio-economic progress and regional stability.
A Leader in Resilience and Sustainability
Today, IMD is a cornerstone institution for weather and climate services. Its work promotes resilience and sustainability, helping India address the challenges posed by a changing climate.
Milestones And Achievements
Pioneering Weather Observations
IMD began with manual weather observations and evolved into deploying modern technologies like Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), Radiosonde & Radiowind (RS/RW) instruments, and Doppler Weather Radars (DWR). Its extensive observatory network now provides real-time data, forming the foundation of accurate forecasts and reliable weather services.
Advances in Weather Prediction
The introduction of supercomputers and advanced numerical models has transformed forecasting in India. IMD now delivers precise weather predictions up to 7 days in advance, with extended forecasts for 15 days, a month, and an entire season. These forecasts save lives, reduce losses during extreme events, and improve socio-economic conditions.
Excellence In Monsoon Forecasting
India’s economy depends heavily on the monsoon. Since 1886, IMD has developed and refined monsoon forecasting techniques. It integrates statistical methods with modern climate science and now uses multi-model ensemble techniques for accurate seasonal rainfall predictions.
Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation
IMD plays a vital role in minimizing the impact of natural disasters through timely and accurate warnings. Predictions for cyclones like Phailin (2013), Fani (2019), and Amphan (2020) have saved countless lives. Deaths due to cyclones have dropped significantly, from 10,000 in 1999 to zero between 2020 and 2024, due to IMD’s precise warnings.
Monitoring Climate Change
IMD leads in studying climate change’s effects on India’s weather patterns. It provides critical insights through initiatives like the State of the Climate in India Reports and collaborations with global climate organizations. These efforts support climate forecasts and services under the National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS).
Support To Key Sectors
IMD extends specialized services to sectors like aviation, agriculture, and water management. From ensuring flight safety to offering crop advisories, its contributions enhance productivity and safety, making it a vital partner in India’s progress.
Indigenous Innovations
IMD has developed cutting-edge tools like the Decision Support System (DSS), which integrates real-time data for disaster management, and the Impact-Based Forecast (IBF) system, providing risk-based weather warnings since 2019. These innovations improve responses to severe weather events.
Contributions To Science
IMD has made significant scientific contributions, including linking Himalayan snow cover with monsoon patterns and identifying global precursors like the Southern Oscillation Index for monsoon forecasting. Cyclone warnings remain one of IMD’s most impactful achievements.
Pioneering Indigenous Technology
IMD has championed indigenous developments such as radar technology since 1958, satellite products with ISRO since 1983, and Doppler Weather Radars since 2010. Other innovations include the Automatic Weather Station (2000) and Common Alerting Protocol (2019).
IMD’s Services In Mainstream Activities Of Govt. Of India
- Health Advisory: Under the National Health Mission.
- Air Quality Index: In line with the National Clean Air Program.
- Aviation Support: For PM’s UDAN scheme.
- Renewable Energy Forecasts: Aligned with the National Solar Mission.
- Urban Weather Services: For Smart Cities Mission.
- Hydrometeorological Services: For Jal Jeevan Mission.
- Gramin Krishi Mausam Seva: For farmers’ welfare initiatives.
- Marine Forecasts: Supporting Blue Economy and Polar exploration.
- Weather Services: For Gati Shakti and tourism under Dekho Apna Desh.
- Digitalization of Weather Data: For the Digital India Programme.
Mausamgram
The Mausamgram portal, developed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), embodies the vision “Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam.” It offers hyper-localized weather forecasts for any location across India, making weather updates accessible and relevant for everyone.
Key Features Of Mausamgram
Mausamgram provides hourly, 3-hourly, and 6-hourly weather updates for up to 10 days. It covers essential parameters such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind speed, and cloud cover. Users can easily retrieve forecasts through multiple options, including:
- Coordinate-based search
- Location-based search
- Panchayat/block-wise selection
- Pin code entry
Promoting Accuracy and Resilience: By using advanced tools and technology, Mausamgram ensures accurate and reliable forecasts. This empowers individuals and communities with tailored weather information, helping them make informed decisions and strengthen their resilience against weather-related challenges.
How IMD Has Been Able to Transform Weather Forecasting Over The Years
Enhanced Accuracy Over Time
In the last decade, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has improved its forecast accuracy by 40%. This progress is due to advancements in its observation systems on land, at sea, and in space.
Expansion of Observation Systems
The IMD has significantly upgraded its monitoring infrastructure. Doppler weather radars increased from 15 in 2014 to 39 in 2024. Automatic weather stations grew from 675 to 1,208, and high wind speed recorders rose from 19 to 37. Rainfall monitoring stations expanded from 3,995 to 6,095. Additionally, seven automated and heliport weather observation systems were added.
Satellite Advancements
Weather observation capabilities have improved with the addition of two geostationary satellites, INSAT 3DR and 3DS, replacing the single INSAT 3D used in 2014. These satellites now provide continuous weather updates.
Improved Forecast Resolution
IMD’s medium-range forecast models now offer a resolution of 12 km, compared to 25 km a decade ago. This means more precise predictions for smaller areas, enhancing the reliability of forecasts.
Better Prediction Capabilities
Advances in infrastructure have boosted forecast accuracy significantly. Heatwaves are now predicted with 95% accuracy up to two days in advance, compared to 50% in 2014. Thunderstorms are detected with 86% accuracy hourly, up from 50% in 2017. Heavy rainfall predictions for up to three days are now 78% accurate, compared to 50% ten years ago. Cyclone track forecasting has improved by 35-40%, helping reduce human casualties to almost zero.
IMD’s Strategic Priorities For The Future
- Enhancing Early Warning Systems: IMD plans to improve its extreme weather forecasting capabilities. This includes reducing lead times and increasing the accuracy of predictions to save lives and minimize damage during severe weather events.
- Expanding Observational Networks: To improve data quality and coverage, IMD aims to deploy more Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), radars, and ocean buoys across the country.
- Leveraging AI and Machine Learning: By integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into its weather models, IMD will analyze large volumes of data for more precise and efficient predictions.
- Providing Climate Services for Adaptation: As climate variability grows, IMD will focus on delivering actionable climate services. These services will help communities adapt to changing weather patterns and build resilience against climate impacts.
- Collaborating with Stakeholders: IMD recognizes the importance of working closely with academia, industry, and international meteorological organizations. These collaborations will play a critical role in advancing its mission and expanding its capabilities.
- Empowering Future Meteorologists: IMD is dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of meteorologists, climatologists, and researchers. This effort ensures India continues to move toward a weather-resilient future with skilled professionals at the helm.