Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Jan 15: Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today announced a significant expansion of India’s urban weather observation infrastructure, with the deployment of 200 Automatic Weather Stations across four major metropolitan cities.
Addressing senior officers, meteorology experts and stakeholders, the Minister said that 50 “Automatic Weather Stations” each will be installed in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Pune during the year 2026, marking a decisive step towards strengthening hyper-local, real-time weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, particularly in densely populated urban regions.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that a dense network of Automatic Weather Stations will provide granular and high-resolution spatial data, enabling more accurate prediction of sudden downpours, thunderstorms, extreme heat events, and rapid pressure changes. He emphasised that such data-driven forecasting is critical not only for disaster risk reduction but also for informed decision-making in sectors such as agriculture, aviation, urban planning, and public safety.
The announcement was made during the 151st Foundation Day celebrations of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), a landmark occasion marking over one and a half centuries of the organisation’s dedicated service to the nation. Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, the Minister recalled that on the same date last year, IMD had celebrated its 150th anniversary in the presence of the Prime Minister at Bharat Mandapam. He said the encouragement and appreciation extended by the Prime Minister at that event acted as a major morale booster for the organisation, doubling both the energy and pace of IMD’s work, as reflected in the numerous new initiatives and technological advancements undertaken over the past year.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that IMD’s journey is uniquely aligned with the historical and administrative evolution of India itself, spanning the pre-Independence era to modern times. From its early beginnings in the Northeast to Kolkata, then Shimla, Pune and finally New Delhi, the organisation has continuously adapted to the changing needs of the nation while embracing emerging technologies and scientific capabilities.
Highlighting the transformation in India’s weather forecasting capabilities, the Minister said forecast accuracy has improved by more than 40 to 50 per cent compared to earlier decades. Cyclone track prediction accuracy has increased by nearly 35 to 40 per cent, while errors in monthly and seasonal forecasts have reduced sharply from around 7.5 per cent to nearly 2.5 per cent. He attributed these improvements to sustained investment, technological freedom, and institutional support over the last decade.The 151st Foundation Day event was attended by Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Dr M Ravichandran, Director General of Meteorology, IMD, Dr Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, along with senior officials, scientists, and members of the IMD family. The Minister congratulated award recipients and commended the leadership for ensuring inclusive recognition across all sections of the organisation, fostering a culture of excellence and dedication.
As part of the programme, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated multiple key facilities at the IMD campus, including a Model Observatory, a 3D-Printed Automatic Weather Station, and an Agro-Automatic Weather Station. These facilities reflect India’s growing emphasis on indigenously developed, cost-effective and modular meteorological technologies designed to enhance data quality and operational efficiency.
The Minister also inspected various advanced meteorological instruments and automated monitoring systems installed across the IMD campus. Scientists briefed him on the functioning of radiation monitoring equipment, portable observation systems and sensor-based installations that collectively contribute to real-time data acquisition for forecasting, climate research, and disaster management. Dr Jitendra Singh appreciated the technical depth and practical relevance of these systems, noting their critical role in strengthening India’s climate resilience.
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