Current Affair (14 January 2022): India Meteorological Department commemorates its 147th Foundation Day

India Meteorological Department commemorates its 147th Foundation Day.

• Union Minister of State (Independent charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the 147th Foundation Day of India Meteorological Department.

• He said "said that India has taken a lead in Asian Continent to provide Weather and Climate services to South Asian, South-East Asian and Middle East countries".

• Addressing a galaxy of Leaders, Administrators, Scientists and Scholars on the occasion of 147th Foundation Day of India Meteorological Department here, Dr Jitendra Singh said that the severe weather forecasting being provided to many countries since 2016, has come a long way and proved handy to countries like Nepal and Bangladesh in fighting severe climatic disasters.

Image Source: PIB

• Shri R.K. Mathur, Lieutenant Governor, UT of Ladhakh, Shri Jamyang Tsering Namgyal, MP, Ladhakh, Dr.M. Ravichandran, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Chairman, ISRO Dr. K,Sivan, Dr M. Mohapatra, DG, IMD, Dr S D Attri, Scientist G and Chairman, Organizing Committee, Ex. DGMs and other retired officials of IMD and Directors of MoES Institutes, iinvited dignitaries, officers, scientists took part in the ceremony.

• Dr Jitendra Singh congratulated all the awardees who have performed their duty with dedication and for improvement of Meteorological science and services despite of the COVID-19 pandemic. He also complimented students who participated overwhelmingly in competitions on Weather and Climate organized during Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.

• Dr Jitendra Singh said, the scientific temper and outlook of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has proved a boon for upgrading the country’s weather forecasting and climate services, along with providing latest computing capabilities and infrastructure. He pointed out that in November, 2021, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, headed by Prime Minister approved Rs 2,135 crore for the continuation of Atmospheric and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS).

Image Source: PIB

• The Minister said, under this scheme, eight sub-schemes will be implemented from 2021 to 2026 and the IMD will majorly contribute in five sub-schemes — upgradation of forecasting systems, weather and climate services, atmospheric observations network, study of monsoon and clouds, and the commissioning of polarimetric doppler weather radars in the country.

• IMD has the legacy of maintaining weather and climate records and monitoring & predicting the weather since its inception 147 years ago on 15 January, 1875 in the background of tropical cyclone hitting Calcutta in 1864, and the subsequent famines in 1866 and 1871 due to the failure of the monsoon.

• During 147 years of its existence, the department has served the cause of safety and well-being of Indian population against weather related hazards and to economic development of the country. It is one of the few departments of the government whose services touch almost every aspect of life and across all sectors of economy.

Ministry of Earth Science