In a first, IMD tableau to be part of R-Day Parade
A tableau from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) will participate for the first time in the Republic Day parade.
Established in 1875, the IMD will complete 150 years of service on January 15.
Director General of IMD Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra told The Tribune that the department would be showcasing the transformation it went through in the past 150 years.
“The idea to display the tableau was conceived last year as we were completing 150 years. This is the first time IMD is participating in the Republic Day. A proposal was sent to the government and it was accepted. The tableau will showcase IMD’s achievement in improving weather prediction over the years and the transformational change,” Mohapatra said.
The Union Cabinet approved Mission Mausam on September 11, 2024, with a budget outlay of Rs 2,000 crore to exponentially enhance the country’s weather and climate observations, understanding, modelling and forecasting.
IMD is working on localising weather forecast. For example, a city like Bengaluru which gets flooded during monsoon requires a forecast which could predict the areas which will experience heavy rainfall so that mitigative measures could be taken. In order to address this challenge, IMD is working with Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to issue special region, ward-wise weather reports in two years.
Mohapatra said that predicting localised rainfall and hailstorms is still a challenge. In the next few years, the meteorological department will issue alerts on wind distribution in different layers of the atmosphere which will help in understanding cloud formation.
Offering his insight, Mohapatra elaborated, “In the next 2-3 years, IMD plans to augment weather observation. Presently, we have 39 weather radars which will be increased to 126. We are looking at installing a wider network of radars, wind profilers and radiometers for better observations. Fifteen wind profilers will be installed which can measure wind speed, direction and temperature. This will replace weather balloons.”
In recent years, the Director General said IMD, with its enhanced weather forecasting, has been able to reduce deaths due to natural disasters. He said that globally, IMD is leading in weather forecasts.
“Our predictions on cyclones, rainfall, heat wave, cold wave have helped the government in taking preventive measures which have saved lives. Climate change is a challenge so we must be prepared for the future. The strides which the IMD is making in weather prediction will pave the way for the Vision 2047 of Viksit Bharat,” Mohapatra said.
