India Meteorological Department – A Brief History
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), established on January 15, 1875, traces its roots to earlier meteorological observatories set up by the British East India Company. The Calcutta Observatory began in 1785, followed by Madras in 1796 and Bombay in 1826. By the early 19th century, observatories spread across the Indian subcontinent.
Foundation of IMD
IMD’s creation followed a devastating cyclone in Calcutta in 1864 and monsoon failures in 1866 and 1871, which caused severe famines in Bengal. These events led the British administration to centralize meteorological data collection and analysis, establishing IMD as a unified organization.
Headquarters Evolution
IMD initially operated from Calcutta (1875) before moving to Shimla (1905), Pune (1928), and finally New Delhi (1944), where it remains today.
Progress and Innovations
From modest beginnings, IMD has grown into a premier weather forecaster in Asia. After India’s independence in 1947, IMD advanced significantly in meteorology, communication, and scientific technology. During the telegram era, IMD relayed weather updates via telegrams and later pioneered message-switching computers for global data exchange. It also acquired early electronic computers for climate research.
Collaboration with ISRO
IMD played a pivotal role in collaborating with ISRO, making India the first developing country to launch a geostationary satellite, INSAT, for continuous weather monitoring and cyclone alerts.
Today, IMD stands as a symbol of innovation and resilience, driving advancements in meteorological science and serving as a critical resource for India and Asia.
Reference
Pakistan, Bangladesh Invited For An ‘Undivided India’ Event, Islamabad Confirms
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