India Meteorological Department (IMD)

Category: Geography & Disaster Management | GS Paper I and III

SEO Title: India Meteorological Department (IMD): Functions, Heatwave Criteria and Mission Mausam

UPSC Notes

The India Meteorological Department is India's national meteorological service, responsible for weather observations, forecasting, cyclone warnings and climate-related information.

  • Establishment: 1875.

  • Headquarters: New Delhi.

  • Administrative ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences.

  • Cyclone forecasting: One of the World Meteorological Organization's Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres responsible for tropical cyclone advisories over the North Indian Ocean.

  • Weather warnings: Uses green, yellow, orange and red colour codes to communicate levels of weather risk.

  • Heatwave criteria: The source lists a temperature threshold of at least 40°C in plains and 30°C in hills, along with a departure from normal of 4.5°C or more. A departure of 6.5°C or more indicates a severe heatwave under the cited criteria.

  • Mission Mausam: Approved in 2024 to strengthen atmospheric observations, modelling and weather forecasting.

  • Bharat Forecast System (BFS): The source notes its launch in 2025 as a high-resolution forecasting development.

Key Pointers for Prelims

  • IMD was established in 1875.

  • It functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

  • Mission Mausam aims to improve weather observation and prediction.

  • IMD provides monsoon forecasts and cyclone warnings.