IMD helped build India’s image as a global friend: PM Modi

“India has constantly understood the importance of weather forecasts, and in the recent years, these have helped limit human casualties besides reducing economic losses. The advancement of sciences reflects any country’s progress.  IMD’s accurate forecasts have benefitted the region and has contributed in building India’s image as a global friend,” said Modi. 

A commemorative coin bearing a denomination of Rs. 150, a customised postal My Stamp on IMD’s 150 years, a digital coffee table book on IMD’s journey through 1875 – 2025 and a Vision Document – 2047 were released at the hands of PM Modi. 

The Prime Minister lauded IMD’s acurate forecast issued for Sonmarg in Kashmir on January 12, on the basis of which the inauguration of the Z-Morh tunnel (now named as Sonmarg tunnel) was successfully completed.   

Professor Celeste Saulo, secretary general, World Meteorological Organization (WMO) congratulated IMD on the milestone and lauded the several generations of Indian scientists who have contributed to improving weather sciences, both regional and globally. With Indian representation at WMO continuinh for over six decades now — the longest by any nation in the Asia-Pacific — the WMO chief noted India’s critical role in supporting the neighbouring countries in the region with their forecast guidance. 

“The IMD plays key role in protecting communities. My message would be to invest more in hydrological and meteorological services and it is win- win for everyone. India can be proud of its investments,” Prof. Saulo noted. 

India, today, has enhanced tools, technology and improved observational weather network on land, over sea and in space, said Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (independent charge) for Ministry of Earth Sciences.

“The accuracy of IMD’s weather forecasts have improved by 50 per cent and now, the country is better prepared to tackle natural disasters,” said Dr. Singh. 

Under Mission Mausam, the Met department plans to ramp-up its observational network and improve its weather data and has chalked out programmes over the next one, five and years in the run upto 2047.