Prime Minister Narendra Modi
releases a commemorative coin and postage stamp on the occasion of the 150th Foundation Day of India Meteorological Department | X @PIB_India
Mumbai: To increase the weather observational network in the country, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) will double the radars in the next two years, bringing the number of radars to almost 80 by 2026. The project falls under the Rs 2000 Mission Mausam project, launched in late 2024 as the IMD stepped in its 150th year.
On Tuesday, the IMD organised an national event at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi celebrating its 150th foundation year which was attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event was live streamed at all Regional IMD Centres in the country.
Statement Of PM Modi
Speaking at the event PM Modi said, “It is not only the 150th anniversary of the IMD, but a display of India’s commitment to Climate Technology. The IMD’s infrastructure and advanced technology has drastically increased in the last decade. Mission Mausam and sustainable future will make India Climate Ready in the near future. India’s weather department’s objective is ‘Ease of Living’ for its citizens by ‘Early Warning’ and better accuracy.”
A vision 2047 document of IMD, a customised My Stamp was also unveiled by Indian Post and a commemorateral coin was release to mark the 150th anniversary of the Indian Meteorological Department.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh On Mission Mausam
Speaking at the event, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh said, “Mission Mausam was one of the major projects undertaken by Modi 3.0 government’s first 100 days. The objective of Mission Mausam is to make India Weather-Ready and Climate-Smart Nation.”
“Today’s India priorities Climate change. In last 10 years there has been 50 per cent rise in accuracy of weather forecasts. India now has 1500 automatic weather stations, while Nowcast has increased to 120 cities. Citizens rely on technology set up by IMD, including applications to track weather updates and plan their days,” Dr Singh said applauding IMD’s advancements.
Doppler Radars in Mumbai and Maharashtra:
For the coastal city of Mumbai, the installation of Doppler Radars plays crucial role, especially during monsoon. “Last year, IMD installed four new radars in Mumbai, taking total radars in the island city to six. Under Mission Mausam, Maharashtra will have new radars at Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur, Ratnagiri and others. We are identifying locations which are not covered and needs enhanced weather tracking networks,” IMD Mumbai Director Sunil Kamble told the FPJ on Tuesday. Each new radar installation cost Rs 25 crores, including the infrastructure and scientific staff.
For Mumbai, however no new radars will be installed in near future as the island city already has six of them. However, to better the weather predictions, more air balloons will be released at locations which needs enhanced coverage.
