In News:

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has inaugurated its 7th Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) at Jammu, marking a significant step towards strengthening weather forecasting and disaster preparedness in the Himalayan region. The government has also announced the establishment of another RMC at Lucknow.

Background

Prior to this expansion, IMD operated through six Regional Meteorological Centres located at:Mumbai, Chennai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Nagpur, and Guwahati

These centres serve as regional hubs for weather forecasting, climate services, and disaster early-warning systems.

Coverage and Functions

• The newly established RMC Jammu will cater to Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh, while the proposed Lucknow RMC will serve Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
• The centre will strengthen monitoring and forecasting of weather-related hazards such as:Flash floods, Cloudbursts, Landslides, Avalanches, Heavy snowfall, and Thunderstorms
• It will provide specialized forecasts at regional, district, city, tourist destination, and mountain levels, along with advisories for pilgrims, farmers, transport operators, and disaster management agencies.

Significance

The establishment of RMC Jammu is particularly important given the vulnerability of the Himalayan region to extreme weather events and climate-related disasters. It will enhance:

• Early warning and disaster preparedness.
• Himalayan weather and climate services.
• Agricultural and tourism advisories.
• Support for infrastructure planning and transportation.
• Scientific understanding of mountain meteorology.

The initiative also strengthens India's meteorological infrastructure and contributes to more localized and impact-based weather forecasting.

About India Meteorological Department (IMD)

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the national meteorological service of India.

• Established: 1875
• Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences
• Headquarters: New Delhi
• Functions: Weather forecasting, climate monitoring, seismology, cyclone warnings, and meteorological services.