New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 14, 2025, launched ‘Mission Mausam’, an initiative with the goal of transforming the weather forecasting and management capabilities of our country. It aims to develop cutting-edge weather surveillance systems and technologies. Also, its objective is to implement high-resolution atmospheric observations, high-performance computers and next-generation radars and satellites. During the event, PM Modi marked the 150th foundation day of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and said that the IMD has served crores of Indians and symbolises scientific progress of India. Also, a postage stamp was released to honour the achievements of IMD.
What is the India Meteorological Department?
The India Meteorological Department, popularly known by the abbreviation IMD, is the agency of the Indian Government’s Ministry of Earth Sciences. The agency is entrusted with the responsibilities of weather forecasting, meteorological observations and seismology. Its headquarter is in Delhi and has hundreds of observation stations across India and Antarctica and has regional offices at Kolkata, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Nagpur and Guwahati.
How was the India Meteorological Department established?
In our country, the British East India Company established the first meteorological observatories including the Calcutta Observatory in 1785, the Madras Observatory in 1796 and the Colaba Observatory in 1826. Various provincial governments established several observatories in India during the 19th century’s first half. In 1784, the Asiatic Society was founded in Calcutta (now Kolkata) and it promoted the study of meteorology in our country.
In 1864, a tropical cyclone hit Kolkata and later famines took place in 1866 and 1873. They forced the British government to bring analysis of meteorological observations under one roof. Hence, on January 15, 1875, the IMD was established with its headquarters in Kolkata. In 1905, it was shifted to Shimla and then to Pune and finally to New Delhi in 1944.
What are the tasks of the IMD?
A member of the World Meteorological Organisation, IMD observes and forecasts weather, enabling us to know about any impending natural calamity. Along with the ISRO, the IMD also uses the IRS series and the Indian National Satellite System to monitor the Indian subcontinent’s weather. Notably, IMD was first weather bureau of a developing country which developed and maintained its own satellite system. Also, the IMD names and distributes warnings for tropical cyclones in the Northern Indian Ocean region.
Prime Minister Modi’s launch of Mission Mausam marks a significant advancement in India’s weather forecasting capabilities. This initiative, coupled with the 150th anniversary of the India Meteorological Department, underscores the nation’s commitment to cutting-edge technology for improved weather prediction and disaster management. knowledge Knowledge News, Photos and Videos on General Knowledge
