IMD recently launched the Heat Index on experimental basis

Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) started issuing heat index for different parts of the country on 21^st July on an experimental basis.

What’s in News?

Union Minster of Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijiju announced the launch of heat index on experimental basis by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) to provide general guidance for the warmer regions of India where people are discomforting due to high temperature.

About the Heat Index:

Heat Index launched by IMD will provide information about the impact of humidity on the high temperatures and thus provide a feel like temperature for human beings which can be used as an indication for human discomfort.

Heat Index is implemented on experimental basis across the entire country including the State of Andhra Pradesh.

Heat Index for Bhubaneshwar and Ahmedabad under Heat Action Plan is done under project mode by National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) in collaboration with local agencies like Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH).

Colour Codes used for Experimental Heat Index:

• Green: Experimental heat Index less than 35 degree Celsius.
• Yellow: Experimental heat Index in the range 36-45 degree Celsius.
• Orange: Experimental heat Index in the range 46-55 degree Celsius.
• Red: Experimental heat Index greater than 55 degree Celsius.

Significance:

• It will help people in understanding the impact of humidity and high temperatures.
• The information provided could be useful to identify the heat implications to humans and to understanding temperature ranges which are causing discomfort.
• It will guide people to take additional care in order to reduce the discomfort.
• Along with providing minimum and maximum temperature of the day, it will also inform what the existing temperature feels like.
• It will utilize air temperature and relatively humidity data.

Indian Meteorological Department:

The Indian Meteorological Department, formed on 15 January 1875, is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India. It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology. It is headquartered at Mausam Bhavan, New Delhi.                                                                                                                             

                                              Find More Ranks and Reports Here