pm-modi-marks-150th-foundation-day-of-imd-launch-mission-mausam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently addressed the 150th Foundation Day celebrations of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a momentous occasion that marks a century and a half of serving the country.

 

The event was held at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, where the Prime Minister also launched the ambitious ‘Mission Mausam’. Along with the mission, he unveiled the IMD Vision-2047 document and commemorated the occasion by releasing a postage stamp and coin, celebrating the achievements of the IMD.

 

In his address, Prime Minister Modi remarked that the 150-year journey of the IMD symbolises not just the department's growth but also India’s advancements in modern science and technology.

 

He acknowledged the pivotal role the IMD has played in serving millions of people, contributing to India’s scientific progress. The launch of the Vision-2047 document, he noted, would outline the department's future direction as India prepares to mark 100 years of independence.

 

As part of IMD’s 150th-year celebrations, a National Meteorological Olympiad was organised to inspire young minds and promote meteorology as a field of interest. Thousands of students participated, demonstrating a growing interest in the subject.

 

Prime Minister Modi congratulated the youth, expressing his hope that this would spark further curiosity and engagement with the world of meteorology.

 

The Prime Minister drew attention to the IMD's origins, tracing its establishment back to January 15, 1875, just around the time of Makar Sankranti.

 

He highlighted the significance of this festival, especially in Gujarat, where it marks the sun’s transition into Capricorn, signalling the beginning of the northern hemisphere’s gradual warming and agricultural preparations.

 

This connection to the solar shift underscored India’s long-standing relationship with weather patterns and their cultural importance.

 

Prime Minister Modi emphasised that the progress of a nation’s scientific institutions is a reflection of its scientific consciousness. Over the past decade, the infrastructure and technology of the IMD have expanded significantly.

 

This includes the installation of Doppler Weather Radars, Automatic Weather Stations, Runway Weather Monitoring Systems, and District-wise Rainfall Monitoring Stations.

 

These advancements, along with the integration of space and digital technologies, have transformed India’s meteorological capabilities. The Prime Minister also highlighted the recent introduction of supercomputers, Ark and Arunika, which further enhance the reliability of IMD forecasts.

 

The Prime Minister announced the launch of ‘Mission Mausam’, an initiative aimed at making India a climate-smart nation.

 

Mission Mausam will focus on cutting-edge weather surveillance, the development of high-resolution atmospheric observations, next-generation radars and satellites, and high-performance computers. 

 

It also aims to improve understanding of weather and climate processes and provide air quality data for long-term weather management strategies.

 

Underlining the importance of weather information in day-to-day life, Prime Minister Modi spoke about the IMD's efforts to ensure accurate weather forecasts reach all segments of society.

 

The ‘Early Warning for All’ initiative now covers more than 90% of the population, with access to weather data available at any time, even via WhatsApp.

 

Additionally, the ‘Meghdoot mobile app’ offers weather updates in all local languages, ensuring that everyone, from farmers to fishermen, can make informed decisions.

 

Prime Minister Modi highlighted the critical role of meteorology in disaster management. He pointed out that advancements in weather forecasting have allowed India to minimise the impact of natural disasters.

 

The IMD’s accurate predictions have saved lives and significantly reduced economic losses, enhancing resilience across the nation. The Prime Minister recalled how past cyclones, such as the Kandla cyclone in 1998 and the Odisha super cyclone in 1999, resulted in massive casualties.

 

However, recent efforts by the IMD have managed to save lives and reduce damages during similar events.

 

India’s meteorological advancements are not just beneficial domestically; they have enhanced India’s global image as well. The Prime Minister mentioned that India’s Flash Flood Guidance System is now helping neighbouring countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.

 

This gesture of assistance underlines India’s commitment to being a global leader in disaster management and climate resilience.

 

Drawing attention to the ancient history of meteorology in India, Prime Minister Modi noted that India’s understanding of weather and the environment dates back to the Vedic period.

 

Ancient texts, such as the Vedas and Samhitas, contained extensive meteorological knowledge, integrated with astronomical calculations and climate studies. He referenced works like Krishi Parashar and Brihat Samhita, which discussed cloud formation and its influence on rainfall.

 

Modi urged the scientific community to bridge the gap between traditional knowledge and modern science to foster further breakthroughs.

 

In conclusion, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that IMD’s increasing accuracy in weather forecasting will make its services even more valuable in the future.

 

He encouraged the scientific community, research scholars, and institutions to continue pushing the boundaries of weather prediction, particularly in areas like earthquake warning systems.

 

The celebrations also saw Union Minister of State for Earth Sciences, Dr Jitendra Singh, and Professor Celeste Saulo, Secretary-General of the World Meteorological Organization, among other dignitaries, attend the event.