India Meteorological Department celebrated 145th foundation Day on 15 January

Foundation Day of India Meteorological Department (IMD) 

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is celebrating its 145th Foundation Day on 15 January. It was established in 1875. The day will be celebrated by Ministry of Earth Science under which IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) functions.

History of India Meteorological Department

Indian Meteorological Department was established in 1875 with its headquarters at Calcutta. But Later it was shifted to Shimla in 1905, to Pune in 1928 and then to Delhi in 1944.

What is the India Meteorological Department?

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is work under the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India. It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology. IMD is headquartered in Delhi and operates hundreds of observation stations across India and Antarctica. Its Regional offices are in Mumbai, Kolkata, Nagpur and Pune.

Recent Achievements of India Meteorological Department

• World Meteorological Organization recognized 5 observatories of India Meteorological Department as a long-term observing station for more than 100 years. These 5 Observatories are:

(1) Chennai (Nungambakkam)
(2) Mumbai (Colaba)
(3) Panjim
(4) Pune
(5) Thiruvananthapuram

• New Aeronautical Meteorological Stations commissioned under RCS-UDAN Scheme.
• Modelling & Forecasting System of India Meteorological Department
• IMD in collaboration with NCMRWF & IITM implemented Thunderstorm and Lightning Modelling and Warning System.
• Global Forecast System (GFS) model upgraded and run 4 times a day to generate 10 days forecast.

Communication System Networks of India Meteorological Department

• IMD launched its new website: www.mausam.imd.gov.in for the general public and Mobile App ‘MEGHDOOT’ for Agromet Advisory Services.
• The new website of Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi has been launched during 2019.

Awards and Appreciation of India Meteorological Department

• Indian Meteorological Society awarded Dr H. R. Biswas for the best research paper published in 2019 in Weather &Climate Services.
• Dr M. Mohapatra DG, IMD was conferred with Fellowship of IMS & Indian Climate Congress in 2019.
• President of India appreciated IMD for providing an accurate forecast for Independence Day celebrations of 2019.
• National Geographic Channel aired a story on “The Mega Cyclone FANI” on 7th October 2019 highlighting the role of IMD in early warning services for ‘FANI’.

Important takeaways for all competitive exams:

• Director-General of Meteorology, India Meteorological Department: Mrutyunjay Mohapatra.

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