Overview

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was established in 1875 as one of the first scientific departments of the Government of India. It is the principal government agency for all matters relating to meteorology and allied subjects. IMD will complete 150 years on 15th January, 2025. To commemorate this milestone, a year long activities commencing from 15th January, 2024 to 15th January, 2025 is being conducted by IMD. As part of the celebrations marking the 150th anniversary of the IMD, we propose to organize a ‘Marathon' in New Delhi. This event is planned to be conducted in New Delhi with 1,500 participants, on 12th January 2025.

India Meteorogical Department background

With the initiative of Asiatic society of Bengal and consequent upon large loss of lives and properties from cyclones, especially in 1864 and consecutive droughts leading famine in 1866 and 1867; British India established National Meteorological Committee On 15th Jan 1875. The National Meteorological Service thus started subsequently became known as India Meteorological Department (IMD). Currently IMD stands as the nation’s nodal meteorological authority, playing a critical role in weather and climate services including disaster management. Currently Operating under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), IMD is entrusted with monitoring of weather & climate, delivering precise weather predictions for a few hours to a month and season, and issue of timely warnings to protect lives and property, manage natural resources and support socio-economic development of the country.

Weather forecasting is an initial value problem. The weather forecasting largely depends on the weather observation and modelling. Hence IMD and MoES like other agencies in the world continuously enhance and upgrade the meteorological observation and numerical models.

IMD’s vast and sophisticated observational network includes a combination of manual and automated observatories, satellite systems, Doppler weather radars, Upper air observation through Radiosonde & Radiowind, Automatic Weather Stations. In addition the high-performance computing infrastructure and numerical weather prediction models along with national and international collaboration and research enabled real-time data acquisition, analysis, forecasting/warning and sectoral applications. This cutting-edge infrastructure underpins a broad spectrum of services, from daily weather forecasts and long-term climate evaluations to specialized predictions for Cyclones, Agriculture, Aviation, and Maritime, Road Transport, Rail services, Tourism, Power sectors, Health, Defence, Fisheries etc. By harnessing advanced meteorological technologies and computational models, IMD ensures the delivery of accurate forecasts, essential for informed decision-making and effective disaster preparedness.

IMD plays a pivotal role in climate research and applications, focusing on the study of climate variability and long-term trends critical for shaping policy and bolstering community resilience in the face of climate change. By engaging in collaborative partnerships with both national and international organizations, IMD facilitates the exchange of knowledge and advances in the frontiers of meteorological science.

Public outreach and awareness are integral to IMD’s mission. The department enhances understanding of weather patterns and climate-related challenges through a variety of platforms, including workshops, seminars, and digital media, empowering communities to proactively adapt and respond to shifting environmental conditions. IMD’s commitment to transparency and public accessibility is reflected in its intuitive mobile applications and user-friendly websites, which offer real-time weather updates to the public.

In essence, IMD serves as a cornerstone in India’s efforts to manage the challenges posed by weather extremes, promoting sustainable development and strengthening the nation’s resilience in an era of climate change. Its ongoing evolution underscores the increasing significance of meteorological services in addressing the complex issues of climate change and environmental sustainability.

A marathon is proposed to be organized on 12th January 2025 to popularize the activities of IMD so as to improve the awareness among the public for reducing loss of life and property and supporting socioeconomic development.

The venue for the marathon at Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium is “Open Space West Block” in front of main arena.