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The genesis of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) was rooted in necessity. The devastating tropical cyclone of 1864 that claimed over 60,000 lives in the then undivided Bengal, coupled with consecutive monsoon failures in 1866 and 1871, underscored the dire need for a scientific approach to weather monitoring and forecasting. Recognising this, the British colonial government in the country set up IMD in 1875, bringing the 80 meteorological systems that existed across provinces under a central authority. It was a watershed moment in India’s history, as the traditional wisdom of predicting weather was systematically combined with scientific methodologies.
H F Blanford, IMD’s first weather reporter, opened a branch office in Shimla and laid the foundation for a network of observatories across the subcontinent. By 1878, the India Daily Weather Report was being published, providing information on rainfall, seasonal forecasts and floods. John Eliot, the first director-general of observatories in 1889, oversaw IMD’s first long-range monsoon forecast in 1886, a pioneering achievement that made India the first country to systematically develop such predictions. By the early 20th century, IMD had firmly established itself as a cornerstone of India’s meteorological infrastructure. Its headquarters, originally in Calcutta (now Kolkata), moved to Shimla in 1905. By then, the network had grown to include 200 rainfall stations and numerous observatories, setting a strong foundation for the department’s expansion.
From its inception, IMD catered to India’s agrarian economy. The Agricultural Meteorology Division, operational since 1856, set the stage for innovations such as agrometeorological bulletins, drought climatology studies and crop yield forecasting. These efforts were instrumental in creating today’s impact-based forecasts, which now provide advisories to over 3,100 blocks and districts across India. IMD’s contributions to water resource management also date back to the 19th century. The Cuttack hydrological station, established in 1867, was followed by others in Veraval and Dwarka in Gujarat. In 1890, the Rainfall Resolution of India standardised rainfall measurements nationwide. This initiative evolved into comprehensive hydrological services, including dam safety calculations and district-wise rainfall monitoring schemes.
IMD played a pivotal role in aviation meteorology, beginning with the first flight in India from Allahabad to Naini in 1911 where the agency provided the much-needed weather information. By 1921, weather forecasts were issued for Royal Air Force operations and the introduction of air mail services between England and India in 1929 brought new responsibilities to meteorological offices in Delhi and Karachi. IMD’s aviation services grew rapidly, culminating in the launch of an online meteorological briefing system in 2007.
Instrumentation and observation have been at the heart of IMD’s growth. From pilot balloon observations in 1930 to Global Positioning System-based radiosonde systems in 2008, the department has continually adopted cutting-edge technologies. The introduction of Doppler Weather Radars in Chennai and Sriharikota further bolstered India’s disaster preparedness, while the advent of satellite meteorology in the 1960s transformed weather monitoring. The INSAT satellite series enabled real-time data reception, a game-changer in predicting extreme weather events.
IMD also pioneered atmospheric research, including ozone measurements beginning in 1928 and extending these efforts to Antarctica in 1982. The organisation’s air quality monitoring initiatives, such as the Air Quality Early Warning System for Delhi, are critical in addressing urban environmental challenges today. The agency has continually evolved its communication channels. Starting with postal and telegraphic services in the late 19th century, it introduced weather broadcasts via All India Radio in 1936. The integration of computers in 1960 revolutionised data analysis and forecasting, bringing IMD into the digital age.
At the event commemorating 150 years of IMD, the agency unveiled its Vision 2047 document, which will serve as a blueprint for its future. The plan includes expanding its observation network to ensure high-quality, granular data and real-time availability in the years to come.
This was first published on the 1-15 February, 2025, Print edition of Down To Earth