Climate change has made the work of meteorologist more pertinent: Former head of IMD’s weather forecast

Kashyapi, who retired after 31 years of service on March 31, said decadal change in temperatures would require more studies. “But the number of peak temperature days has become more for sure,” he said. As a meteorologist, Kashyapi said climate change and other variations have added to their work. “I feel meteorologists should go back to their forecasts and collaborate with others over their observations. It is necessary to ensure user needs are kept in mind while designing forecasts and products,” he said.

All tools and mathematical models, Kashyapi said, would have to be consulted to come up with products, which will be of use to the end user. “Nowadays, we require more and more area-specific forecasts,” he said.

Talking about his career, Kashyapi spoke about how he had developed his skills as a forecaster and ensured the IMD helps other government bodies in their preparedness. During his tenure as the director of the Bhopal center of IMD, Kashyapi’s forecasts about heavy rains and thundering activities had helped the administration to take precautions.

“During the Ujjain Kumbh Mela, we had seen a thundercloud develop. As it was moving towards the Khumb Mela region, we had cautioned the police and district administration. Since then, the district administration started keeping us in the loop in their preparedness plans,” he said. Similarly during the judicial enquiry about a railway accident, the judge had appreciated the IMD’s predictions and asked the railways to take the cognition of the same.

As Kashyapi hangs his boots, the meteorologist in him refuses to take a break. “I want to work with agro meteorology, expand my base slowly and help farmers,” he said.