IMD or the India Meteorological Department was established in 1875. It is responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology in India.
- It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.
- IMD is also one of the six Regional Specialized Meteorological Centres of the World Meteorological Organization.
- The Regional Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) of Tropical Cyclones in New Delhi is responsible for naming the cyclones in the northern Indian Ocean region.
IMD Headquarters: New Delhi
Objective:
- To take meteorological observations and to provide current and forecast meteorological information for optimum operation of weather-sensitive activities like agriculture, irrigation, shipping, aviation, offshore oil explorations, etc.
- To warn against severe weather phenomena like tropical cyclones, norwesters, duststorms, heavy rains and snow, cold and heat waves, etc., which cause destruction of life and property.
- IMD is mandated to provide meteorological statistics required for agriculture, water resource management, industries, oil exploration and other nation-building activities.
- To conduct and promote research in meteorology and allied disciplines.
