151st Foundation Day of IMD and Automatic Weather Stations

Foundation Day: 15 January 1875 – 2026 (151st anniversary)
AWS Deployment: 200 Automatic Weather Stations across Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune.
Cities Covered: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune.
IMD Achievements (last decade):
Forecast accuracy improved by 40–50%.
Cyclone track prediction accuracy rose by 35–40%.
Seasonal forecast error reduced from 7.5% to ~2.5%.
Weather radar network now covers ~87% of India’s area.
Technological Additions: Doppler radars, aerosol monitoring, ultra‑short‑range forecasts (up to 3 hrs), Model Observatory, 3D‑printed AWS, Agro‑Automatic Weather Station.
Regional Cooperation: Weather and disaster‑related satellite support to Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is the apex agency for meteorology, seismology and climate services.
Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) are unmanned stations that record and transmit meteorological parameters in real time, reducing human error and operational costs.
The deployment aligns with Mission Mausam, IMD’s long‑term vision for advanced weather science, climate resilience and public welfare.

Disaster Management: Real‑time, high‑resolution data improves early warning systems for floods, cyclones and heatwaves, directly supporting the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Agriculture: Precise weather data aids crop‑sowing decisions, irrigation scheduling and pest management, contributing to Doubling Farmers’ Income.
Urban Planning & Public Safety: Hyper‑local forecasts help city authorities manage heat‑island effects, air quality alerts and traffic management.
Aviation & Shipping: Enhanced forecasting ensures safer flight operations and maritime navigation.
Indigenous Technology: 3D‑printed and locally manufactured AWS reduce dependence on imports, aligning with Make in India.
Regional Diplomacy: Sharing meteorological data strengthens South Asian cooperation under SAARC and bilateral agreements.

Article 246 – Union List includes “Forestry, protection of forests and wildlife, and the environment” enabling central agencies like IMD to function.
Disaster Management Act, 2005 – Mandates the establishment of a national disaster management framework, wherein IMD plays a pivotal role.
National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Guidelines – Require integration of meteorological data for risk assessment.