Mon Jan 13 05:44:31 UTC 2025: ## India Meteorological Department Celebrates 150 Years of Service
**New Delhi, January 13, 2025** – The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is celebrating its 150th anniversary on January 15th. Established in 1875 by the British provincial government, the IMD’s creation was spurred by devastating weather events, including the 1864 Calcutta cyclone which killed over 60,000 and the subsequent Orissa famine. The need to centralize weather data collection across India led to the IMD’s formation, initially headquartered in Calcutta before moving to New Delhi in 1944.
Initially tasked with monitoring monsoons and cyclones, the IMD’s role has expanded significantly. Today, it operates six Regional Meteorological Centres, a Meteorological Centre in every state capital, and numerous specialized centers. Its responsibilities now include tracking rainfall, cyclones, earthquakes, and atmospheric pollution, and issuing crucial weather alerts and warnings. The IMD utilizes a sophisticated communication network incorporating ground observatories, naval vessels, weather balloons, and satellites to collect and analyze data. In 1949, the IMD became a member of the World Meteorological Organization, solidifying its international standing. The department’s centennial celebrations will mark its long history of service to India.
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