SRINAGAR: Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday announced the restructuring of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) with the establishment of a Regional Meteorological Centre (RMC) in Jammu, describing it as the beginning of a new phase in the 151-year-old weather forecasting institution.
He said the decision aims to decentralise operations from the Delhi regional centre and enhance weather forecasting, early warning systems and disaster preparedness across northern India.
Addressing the launch, Singh said the IMD, which has completed 151 years, is entering a new phase with the division of responsibilities among three regional centres based in Jammu, Delhi and Lucknow.
The upgraded Jammu Regional Meteorological Centre will cater to Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh, with a specialised focus on mountain meteorology, snow forecasting and high-altitude weather services.
Under the revised arrangement, the Delhi centre will cover Delhi, Haryana and Punjab, while the Lucknow centre will serve Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The Lucknow centre is scheduled for inauguration on 8 June.
Singh said the earlier structure placed the entire northern region under the Delhi centre, making decentralisation necessary for more efficient functioning and improved service delivery.
He added that weather forecasting is a key component of disaster risk reduction and aligns with the government’s vision of a Viksit Bharat, noting that improved systems can significantly reduce loss of life and property.
Highlighting advancements in meteorological infrastructure, the Minister said India had 17 weather radars in 2014, which have now increased to around 50, with an additional 50 planned under Mission Mausam.
He also referred to technological upgrades, stating that the Nowcast system provides short-range forecasts up to three hours in advance, while the SkyCast system at Delhi International Airport assists in predicting fog-related disruptions.
Singh further cited development initiatives in Jammu and Kashmir, including the Shahpur Kandi Project and the establishment of institutions such as IIT, IIM, AIIMS, IIMC and the Central University in Jammu.
He said the IMD has also signed Memorandums of Understanding with institutions in Jammu and Srinagar and the Department of Science and Technology under a “whole-of-government” approach to strengthen meteorological services.
