Manisha Swain
New Delhi, 14th January 2022: To commemorate its 147th Foundation Day, India Meteorological Department (IMD) today installed four Doppler Weather Radars at Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Leh.
The event was graced by the presence of esteemed guests which included Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Dr M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr M. Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, IMD, Dr S. D. Attri, Scientist. G, IMD & Chairman Organising Committee. Other Hon’ble guests who attended the programme through virtual mode included Dr K. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO, MP, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, and Lt. Governor of Ladakh, RK Mathur, Ex. DGMs and other retired officials of IMD and Directors of MoES institutes, officers and scientists were also a part of the ceremony.
Addressing the audience, Dr Jitendra Singh said that since 2016 the severe weather forecasting being provided to many countries under PM Narendra Modi has proved to be helpful to neighbouring countries like Nepal and Bangladesh in fighting severe climatic disasters. Referring to ISRO’s SAARC Satellite, he said, in coming days, IMD will reinvent its weather and climate services in the most modern way to cater to global needs.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that besides adopting the High-Resolution Models the Ministry of Earth Sciences will use Drone-based Observation Technology to strengthen the localised forecasting. He emphasised that keeping the public in mind, the language used in forecasts will be made easy to understand.
Dr Jitendra Singh further added that the Government is committed to making the Indian Meteorological Department a World-Class Organization by making services that will enable the common man to take weather-wise and climate-smart decisions. He said that the IMD effectively caters to the five vital sectors of Agriculture, Health, Water, Energy and Disaster management.
Dr Jitendra Singh dedicated the four Doppler Weather Radars at Leh, Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai for better research and operational analysis. He announced that with this inauguration, the number of radars in the IMD network has reached up to 33. He said that the boost of modern observing platforms such as Doppler Weather Radars, Automatic weather stations, and Meteorological Satellites will help in improving weather and climate services.
Dr M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, in his address said that by using different communication channels like the internet, newspapers, television, radio, mobiles and hotline telephone connections with the control rooms and concerned government officials IMD has established an effective mechanism for the distribution of weather and climate forecasts to different stakeholders. He also informed that by effectively using social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Whatsapp for large scale dissemination of weather information and its Agromet Advisories at Block Level has helped crores of farmers during various stages of farming.
Dr M. Mohapatra, DG, IMD said, flash floods and urban floods have posed new threats to society and IMD has initiated sufficient measures like installing Doppler Weather Radars in hilly areas of Western Himalayas and major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai. He added IMD has plans to set up such radars in other cities and Northeastern states in the next five years.
Since the last 147 years of IMD’s existence, it has proved time and again that it is the backbone of the nation. IMD has served and protected the Indian population against weather-related catastrophes and it has also worked relentlessly towards the economical development of the country.