World Meteorological Day: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav

India Meteorological Department celebrated World Meteorological Day: Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on 23rd March, 2021. Dr. M. Rajeevan, Secretary, MoES and Chief Guest of this function inaugurated Climate Data Services Portal of IMD on this occasion. He also released Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) & Brochures of IMD in presence of Dr. M. Mohapatra, DGM, in an online event. Salient features of the Climate Data Services Portal, SOPs and Brochures are given below. 

(A) Climate Data Service Portal: 

Climate Data Services Portal has been developed by IMD, Pune with user-friendly platforms for climate data management and supply to the users. It complements fully automated climate data management process from real-time data acquisition to expeditious data dissemination.

The major components of the portal are listed below: 

• Real-Time monitoring of weather observations recorded by IMD  

• Encapsulated IMD Metadata Portal, other reports and dashboards

• Online access to meteorological data through Data Supply Portal.

• Free download facility for Gridded Temperature and Rainfall Data of India.

• Climatological Tables, Extremes and Normal.

• Information on Monsoon Rainfall and Cyclone frequencies.

• Data analytics and info graphics.

The Web Portal will be available through IMD Website (http://www.mausam.imd.gov.in/) and IMD Pune website (http://www.imdpune.gov.in/). 

(B) Standard Operation Procedures: 

Considering consequential influence high impact of severe weather events on various Socio economic activities standard operation procedures (SOPs) for monitoring, forecasting and warning services of these severe weather events are very much essential. For real time monitoring, forecasting and warning services, the SOPs are followed by IMD. Considering the recent development in tools and technology, IMD has brought out updated SOPs to provide uniform monitoring of weather especially disastrous weather events. It includes following SOPs: 

• Weather Forecasting Organization of IMD

• Satellite Application in Weather Forecasting

• Radar Application in Weather Forecasting

• Numerical Weather Prediction

• Public Weather Services

• Cyclone Warning Services

• Heavy Rainfall Warning Services

• Thunderstorm Warning Services

• Heat & Cold Wave Warning Services

• Fog Warning Services

• Nowcasting Services

• Multi-hazard Early Warning System

• Urban Meteorological Services

• Marine Weather Forecasting Services

• Meteorological Communication and Early Warning Dissemination

• Agrometeorological Advisory Services

• Aviation Meteorological Services

• Hydro meteorological services

• Air Quality Monitoring and Services

• Post Event survey and Forecast Verification

• Training in Operational Meteorology

These SOPs will prove to be very helpful to the operational forecasters and will serve as a valuable document for carrying out research activities. 

(C) Brochures: 

IMD has specialized Divisions and Centres for rendering various weather and climate services to the country. To increase the awareness among the Public and Stakeholders for effective utilization of weather and climate information in disaster management, Sectoral applications, various socio-economic activities and management of natural resources, IMD has brought out well designed brochures highlighting Brief history, Recent achievements, Organizational structures and Weather information & Warning Services provided by various Divisions and Sub offices of IMD. 

All the above SOPs and Brochures will be available in IMD website.