INDIA METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: India is likely to experience a warmer summer this year with El Nino conditions predicted to continue at least until May, according to the India Meteorological Department.

Key Points of IMD

• Heatwave Prediction: More heatwave days than normal are predicted over northeast peninsular India, including Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, north interior Karnataka, as well as many parts of Maharashtra and Odisha.
• Above-Normal Rainfall: The country is likely to record above-normal rainfall in March, exceeding 117 percent of the long-period average of 29.9 mm.
• Above-Normal Temperatures: India is likely to see above-normal maximum and minimum temperatures in most parts of the country from March to May.
• Absence of Heatwave Conditions: Heatwave conditions are not expected over north and central India in March.
• Prediction of La Nina: La Nina conditions, generally associated with good monsoon rainfall in India, are likely to set in by the second half of the monsoon season.
• February's Record Minimum Temperature: India recorded an average minimum temperature of 14.61 degrees Celsius in February, the second highest in the month since 1901.

India Meteorological Department

• About: It is a principal government agency for meteorology and related matters.
• Historical Background: Devastating cyclones in 1864 and severe drought in 1866 highlighted the lack of a systematic meteorological monitoring system.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
• Headquarter: New Delhi
• Functions:

oConducts a series of surface and glacial observatories.

oConducts Upper Air altitude observations.

oProcesses data received from India’s constellation of satellites.

oUtilizes satellites such as Kalpana-1, Megha-Tropiques, and instruments on board the IRS and the INSAT series of satellites.

oCollaborates with agencies such as the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.

• Collaborates with the National Institute of Ocean Technology for advanced prediction.
• Responsible for setting up monitoring centres at key locations for earthquake monitoring and measurements.