S. Jaipal Reddy inaugurates “Weather Services of IMD on Mobile” 138th Foundation Day of IMD Celebrated

Union Minister for science & Technology and Earth Sciences Shri S.Jaipal Reddy has called for the development of user friendly weather and climate products and their easy access too. Shri Reddy was inaugurating the “Weather Services of IMD on Mobile” in a glittering function organised to mark the 138th Foundation Day of India Metrological Department (IMD) here in New Delhi today. Dr. Shailesh Nayak , Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences , Dr L. S. Rathore, DGM, IMD and other senior officers of IMD were present on the occasion. Shri Reddy while commending the commend the progress made by the IMD in different fields of atmospheric science said the increased needs of the society for timely, authentic and directly usable information on weather and climate have thrown up new challenges before us. It calls for enhanced efforts in the field of atmospheric observations, analysis and weather forecasting. Appreciating the efforts of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in bringing all concerned organisations under the umbrella of Earth System Science Organisation (ESSO) for understanding the complex interactions among key elements of the EARTH SYSTEM the minister said the co-ordinated efforts of the ESSO are now clearly visible in improving observational system and enhancing the weather forecasting capabilities. However, the dedicated services for specialised sectors such as agriculture, aviation, power etc developed by IMD need to be extended to other weather sensitive economic activities. The minister cautioned that unusual behaviour of the monsoon last year is an example before us. More concerted efforts are required to be made in achieving the goal of providing more accurate forecasts to all the users. The reliability of the monsoon is one of the key factors in food security effort. Reducing the margin of error in monsoon prediction would facilitate selection of the appropriate crops and sowing patterns, leading to increased productivity. He said Weather informa¬tion, especially forecasts and warnings, can have significant impacts on the economy and are critical for the protection of life and property. As the primary provider of weather and climate services in India, it is imperative that IMD stays at the forefront of technologies for observing, fore¬casting, and understanding the weather. Technological innovation is essential to take advantage of the benefits of global research, which have made huge advances in the past two decades. Proper exploitation of the scientific and technological advances in different aspects of weather and climate revolves around our ability to invest in these tools and technologies. Government of India has allocated significant amount of funds during the XII Five Year Plan to improve weather services in the country. He expressed the hope that IMD and MoES shall make effective and efficient use of this opportunity. Shri Reddy said ESSO needs to take a leading role in making Indian Agriculture more resilient to the changing patterns of weather and climate, particularly over the vast rainfed tracts of the country. Effective observational and modelling systems are required for refined and reliable predictions. Undoubtedly, this is a challenge for our scientists. I hope that the Monsoon Mission of the Organisation would be a leap forward in that direction. The minister also gave detail of the Computing Power of IMD which has been augmented to 14.4 Tera-flops in the last 5 years. The available computational power permit running the Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model at 25 km resolution, which compares well with the European Centre, which runs it at 16 km resolution. He said the recent modernisation efforts of IMD have resulted in significant improvements in the prediction parameters of IMD. For example: • False Alarm Rate and Missing Rate significant improved by 45% & 30% from their respective mean during 2002-2010 • Probability of Detection increased from 0.4 in 2004 to 0.70 in 2012 Critical Success Index (CSI) increased from 0.3 to in 2004 to 0.60 in 2012 • The Error in landfall point of Tropical Cyclones has decreased at a rate of 7 km per year over last 10 years. • Installation of Doppler Weather Radars has enabled the country to provide Nowcasts for severe weather phenomena of Thunderstorms He expressed happiness that Agromet Advisories provided through SMS is used effectively by more than 33 Lakh farmers and to a much larger number through other means. As agricultural development is an important component of faster, inclusive and sustainable growth, it is essential that farmers get free information in their own language about weather forecasts, farming practices and crop insurance. Also, There is need to ensure that all farmers, are able to get tailor-made Agromet Advisory Services. He also assured that Government will provide full support to enable the Department in better delivery of services to the common man. Shri Shailesh Nayak, Secretery, Ministry of Earth Sciences said IMD has taken a new initiative in the development of an application called “Indian-Weather” for smart phones and TABS based on android. This application is freely downloadable through google play available on the home screen of android based smart phones and tabs. IMD wants to tap the reach of smart phones to provide the latest weather information and other value added services as and when required and wherever required. The location specific weather forecast would be available to the public at the touch of an icon. With this service, IMD’s forecast of major cities of the country around four metros for next 4 days alongwith updated current weather observations would be available to the millions of mobile users across the country in the initial phase. During next 8-10 months, we intend not only to expand the domain of the products by including weather bulletins and alerts for significant events, Agromet advisories etc to the public on the smart phones but also for other phones across platform . This will prove a major milestone in Public weather services provided by IMD, he added On this occasion Shri Reddy also felicitated Eminent Scientist Dr. R.R. Kelkar. He also released several three publications of IMD. Shri Reddy also gave away the award to best employees and best offices along with Award to School Children for various competitions. An exhibition highlighting IMD’s history and development was also arranged on this occasion. The occasion also marked the foundation of IMD as on this day of Mr. H. F. Blanford assumed his office as Imperial Meteorological Reporter on 15th January, 1875. The day is being celebrated with a view to highlight the achievements of the Department and to promote awareness about new initiatives taken and also to focus on the future plans for improving the weather and climate services of the Department. Shri Shri L.S.Rathore, Director General, Indian Meterological Department (IMD) detailed the achievements of IMD which are as under: • Technique for 5-day district-wise quantitative forecast of rainfall, temperature, wind, cloud amount and humidity. This is very useful for issuing district-wise agro-meteorological advisories for the benefit of farming community. • IMD has taken up new initiatives for massive modernization and up gradation of equipment, observatories, computing facilities, technology, services and human resource Development. Under its ongoing Moderanisation Scheme, IMD has carried out installation of Transmet - a High Speed System for International Exchange of weather data, Synergie -a new concept of weather forecasting, Meteofactory -a new concept of better product generation & their automatic dissemination to all its end users. • Significant improvement in accuracy of weather forecast (Cyclone, monsoon, extreme weather events, fog etc.) by using latest technology (Satellite, Doppler Weather Radars etc.) • Efforts in increasing our outreach by providing customized and sectorial public weather services through latest technology (Web enabled, SMS, Mails, Facebook etc). • Providing ready-to-air weather capsules to Doordarshan. • SMS delivery of Agro –Advisories and other services • To boost its scientific & forecasting capabilities, IMD has installed a High Power Computing System (HPCS). • Establishment of National Weather Forecasting Centre at HQ New Delhi for providing value added services to various sectors on All India basis • IMD has also enhanced its Numerical Weather Prediction capabilities at various centres and NWP models like Weather Research Forecast (WRF) are being run for accurate short range weather predictions. • Collaboration with National and International agencies to develop seamless, accurate forecasting system and information dissemination mechanism. • Nowcast of thunderstorms • Highway and Tourism forecast • Special weather services such as Kumbh Mela, Commonwealth Games, and ICC Cricket World Cup etc. Mr. Rathore also elaborated the future plans of IMD as under: Monsoon Mission for improvement of Long range forecast of Monsoons; Block level weather forecast and agro advisory services; Modernisation Phase II for further densification of the network; Integrated Himalayan Meteorology Programme for Improving Mountain weather Services; Strengthening, expanding and Modernisation of Airport Met Services; Extended range forecasting system; City forecast of more than 200 locations for next 7 days; DWR and model based auto-nowcast system; Expansion of weather services by tapping new sectors and Strengthening the public weather services