150th Year of India Meteorological Department

Context: 

India Meteorological Department (IMD) celebrated the 150th Year of its establishment in 2024. 

150 Years of India Meteorological Department: Major Highlights

• The Vice President of India took part in celebrations of the 150th years of the establishment of India Meteorological Department (IMD) as a Chief Guest.
• To commemorate the 150th year, the following initiatives were launched:
  • Weather Analysis and Forecast Enabling System (WAFES)
  • Panchayat Mausam Seva for farmersIMD’s Mobile App MAUSAM
  • Mausam Gram available through the Mobile App “Mausam”
  • National Framework of Climate Services (NFCS)

India Meteorological Department and Its Various Initiatives at Glance:

• Weather Analysis and Forecast Enabling System (WAFES): 

  • It is an in-house Web-GIS-based integrated Decision Support System (DSS) inspired by Pancha Mahabhuta i.e. Water, Air, Fire, Earth and Sky. 
  • Objective: To analyze meteorological observations and prediction models, aiding decision-making for severe weather phenomena and their socio-economic impact.
  • Function:  It provides real-time information for various sectors such as Urban, Power, Hydrology, Health, Energy, Agriculture, Transport, and Tourism under the “UPHHEATT” initiative (for the cause of welfare).

• Panchayat Mausam Seva for farmers: 

  • Developed by: India Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Green Alert Mausam Sewa
  • Objective: To provide weather forecasts in English, Hindi and twelve regional languages to every panchayat head and panchayat secretary in every village of the country.  

• India Meteorological Department’s Mobile App MAUSAM: 

  • It is an integrated GIS-based interactive mobile app for all weather-related services like current weather forecasts of every hour to 7 days. The app supports 12 Indian languages for varied users in India.

• Mausam Gram Available through the Mobile App “Mausam: 

  • Vision and Theme: Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam
  • Objective: It allows detailed weather observations, forecasts, and warnings to the public for their location through a map or search function using place names, pincodes, or coordinates disseminated in text and graphics format.

• National Framework of Climate Services (NFCS)

• • Aim:  To maximize utilization of climate information, as a part and parcel of all our activities, with special emphasis on disaster risk reduction, water, health, energy and agriculture management.

News Source: PIB