Jitendra Singh says IMD restructuring will boost weather forecasting and disaster preparedness across Himalayan region
BuzzBytes News Desk
JAMMU : Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday announced the restructuring of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) with the launch of a Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Jammu, describing the move as the beginning of a new chapter in the 151-year history of India’s weather forecasting agency.
Addressing the inaugural event, the Minister said the decision was taken to decentralise the workload of the Delhi Regional Meteorological Centre and strengthen weather forecasting, early warning dissemination and disaster preparedness across northern India.
“The Meteorological Department has completed 151 years. In this long journey, a new chapter is beginning today with the division of Delhi into three parts by establishing Regional Meteorological Centres at Jammu, Delhi and Lucknow,” Singh said.
The upgraded Jammu centre will cater to the meteorological requirements of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, with special emphasis on mountain meteorology, snow forecasting and high-altitude weather services.
The Minister said the earlier arrangement placed the entire northern region under the Delhi centre, making decentralisation necessary for more efficient functioning and better maintenance of meteorological services.
“Under the new structure, the Jammu RMC will serve Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, while the Delhi centre will cover Delhi, Haryana and Punjab. The Lucknow Regional Meteorological Centre, which will cater to Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand, is scheduled to be inaugurated on June 8,” he said.
Describing weather forecasting as a critical component of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat, Singh said improved forecasting and disaster management systems can significantly reduce loss of life and property during natural calamities.
Highlighting the expansion of weather infrastructure under the Modi government, the Minister said India had only 17 weather radars in 2014. Over the past decade, 30 additional radars have been installed, taking the total to nearly 50.
He further revealed that another 50 radars are planned under the Centre’s Mission Mausam initiative aimed at modernising India’s weather forecasting network.
Singh also highlighted major technological advancements in meteorological services and said the Nowcast Service now provides highly accurate weather forecasts up to three hours in advance.
Referring to aviation-related forecasting systems, he said the recently launched SkyCast system at Delhi International Airport is helping authorities provide accurate information regarding fog-related flight disruptions and weather conditions affecting air traffic.
The Minister also spoke about the development initiatives undertaken in Jammu and Kashmir over the past decade, citing projects such as the completion of the Shahpur Kandi Project and the establishment of premier institutions including Indian Institute of Technology Jammu, Indian Institute of Management Jammu, All India Institute of Medical Sciences Jammu, Indian Institute of Mass Communication and Central University of Jammu.
He further informed that the IMD has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with institutions in Jammu and Srinagar, as well as with the Department of Science and Technology, under the government’s “Whole-of-Government” approach to strengthen meteorological, climate and weather-related services.
Officials said the upgraded Jammu Regional Meteorological Centre is expected to significantly enhance weather monitoring, forecasting capabilities and disaster preparedness across the northwestern Himalayan region, particularly in vulnerable mountainous areas prone to extreme weather events, avalanches and heavy snowfall.
The new centre is also expected to improve early warning systems and strengthen coordination among weather agencies, disaster management authorities and local administrations in Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh.
