2026-01-02 Fri

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) functions as a key agency under the Ministry of Earth Sciences within the Government of India, primarily engaged in meteorological observations, Weather forecasting, and seismology. Headquartered at Mausam Bhawan in New Delhi, IMD employs over 4,000 scientific professionals and is equipped with advanced meteorological instruments, cutting-edge computing platforms, weather and climate prediction models, and comprehensive information processing, forecasting, and warning dissemination systems. The organization operates numerous observation stations throughout India, as well as three stations in Antarctica.

According to the website of IMD, the origins of meteorology in India can be traced back to ancient civilizations, as documented in classical literature. Texts such as the Upanishads delve into the processes of cloud formation, rainfall, and the seasonal cycles resulting from the Earth's movement around the sun. Varahamihira's renowned work, the Brihatsamhita, composed around 500 CE, illustrates an advanced understanding of atmospheric phenomena from that era. Additionally, Kautilya's Arthashastra records systematic measurements of rainfall and their implications for revenue and relief efforts, while Kalidasa's epic, 'Meghdoot', notes the onset of the monsoon across central India and describes the trajectory of monsoon clouds.

Ancient scholars recognized the connection between SOLAR activity and rainfall, encapsulated in the term "Adityat Jayate Vrishti," which translates to "Rain comes from the Sun." This wisdom continues to resonate today, as it serves as the motto for the IMD, bridging traditional knowledge with contemporary meteorological science.

In the 17th century, British scientist Edmond Halley published significant findings on the Indian summer monsoon, attributing it to a seasonal reversal of winds influenced by the differential heating of the Asian landmass and the Indian Ocean. India is home to some of the oldest Meteorological Observatories globally, with several established by the British East India Company, including stations in Calcutta (1785) and Madras (1796) aimed at comprehensively studying weather and climate.

Throughout the 19th century, significant contributions were made to meteorological studies in India, including the work of Captain Harry Piddington, who published numerous papers in the Journal of the Asiatic Society addressing tropical storms and coining the term "cyclone." The devastating tropical cyclone that struck Calcutta in 1864 highlighted the need for a coordinated meteorological approach, leading to the establishment of the India Meteorological Department in 1875. This initiative centralized all meteorological activities within the country, with H. F. Blanford appointed as the Meteorological Reporter and Sir John Eliot serving as the first Director General of Observatories in 1889 at Calcutta headquarters. The headquarters of IMD were later shifted to #shimla, then to Pune and finally to New Delhi.

In 1949, IMD became a member of the World Meteorological Organization, and its #Cyclone forecasting capabilities now extend beyond India, providing critical information to 13 neighboring Countries utilizing these forecasts for their respective cyclone management systems. In recognition of its growing significance, IMD Pune was designated as the Regional Climate Centre for South Asia in 2016. Additionally, IMD has collaborated on the United Nations' 'Early Warning for All' initiative, with 30 countries identified for support. India has established a robust early warning system underpinned by essential infrastructure and Technology.

On 24 December 1975, India post issued a commemorative stamp celebrating the Centenary of the IMD, featuring weather instruments against a backdrop of the sky and vegetation, honoring the advancements in India's meteorological services.