Celebrating 150 Years of IMD: Frontiers for Early Warning, Issue No. 221 | June 2025 – ReliefWeb

Report on Celebrating 150 Years of the India Meteorological Department: Advancing Early Warning Systems Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

This report highlights the transformative journey of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) over 150 years, emphasizing its critical role in advancing early warning systems that contribute significantly to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The collaboration between the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI) and IMD underscores the importance of inclusive, equitable, and people-centered climate risk management across India and South Asia.

Introduction

Dr. M. Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, India Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India

The IMD’s evolution from traditional weather forecasting to sophisticated early warning systems aligns directly with SDG 13 (Climate Action) by enhancing climate resilience and disaster preparedness.

Key Thematic Areas and Expert Contributions

1. India Meteorological Department and Tropical Cyclones: Key Achievements and Agenda

   Cyrille Honoré, Director of Disaster Risk Reduction and Public Services Branch, WMO, Geneva, Switzerland

   • Improved cyclone forecasting supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by protecting urban and rural populations.
   • Facilitates anticipatory actions reducing loss of life and property.

2. Indian Early Warning System: A Model for the World

   Sanjay Agrawal, Deputy Director General, Disaster Management, Ministry of Communications, Government of India

   • Demonstrates best practices in early warning systems contributing to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
   • Promotes regional cooperation enhancing SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

3. Local Action, Global Reach: Forging a Resilient Future Against Extreme Heat

   Jagan Chapagain, CEO and Secretary General of the IFRC, Geneva, Switzerland

   • Addresses health risks related to heatwaves, supporting SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being).
   • Encourages community-based resilience and inclusivity.

4. Flood Forecasting in India: Journey from 1958

   Sharad Chandra and Rajesh Kumar, Department of Water Resources, Ministry of Jal Shakti, India

   • Enhances water resource management aligned with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).
   • Mitigates flood risks contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action).

5. Weather Services for the Power Sector: Achievements and Opportunities

   Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India

   • Supports SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) through weather-informed power sector planning.
   • Improves energy sector resilience to climate variability.

6. Enhancing Heatwave Early Warning Effectiveness

   K. S. Hosalikar, Rajib Chattopadhyay, and Annanya Karmakar, IMD Pune, India

   • Focuses on actionable strategies to protect vulnerable populations, promoting SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
   • Integrates scientific advancements for timely alerts.

7. Evolution and Future of Meteorological Services in India

   Dr. Ranjan Kelkar, Former Director General, IMD, Pune, India

   • Outlines future scenarios supporting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
   • Emphasizes technology and capacity building for sustainable development.

8. Space Technology as a Core Component of Weather Services

   Dr. Prem Shankar Goel, Former Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, India

   • Leverages space-based data to enhance forecasting accuracy, contributing to SDG 13 (Climate Action).
   • Supports innovation and scientific research.

9. IMD in South Asia: Perspectives from Myanmar

   Dr. Kyaw Moe Oo, Director General, Department of Meteorology and Hydrology, Myanmar

   • Highlights regional collaboration fostering SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
   • Promotes shared resilience strategies across South Asia.

10. Numerical Weather Prediction Pathways for India

    Dr. U. C. Mohanty, Distinguished Professor, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan University, Bhubaneswar, India

    • Advances scientific modeling supporting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
    • Improves precision in weather services for disaster risk reduction.

11. Extreme Heat Early Warning and Anticipatory Actions for Women-Led Small Businesses

    Pallavi Rathod, Vaishali Tiwari, and Grace George, AIDMI, India

    • Empowers women entrepreneurs, aligning with SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
    • Promotes inclusive climate resilience strategies.

12. Strengthening Early Warning Systems for Future Generations

    Mihir R. Bhatt, All India Disaster Mitigation Institute (AIDMI), India

    • Calls for sustainable, inclusive early warning systems that leave no one behind, supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
    • Encourages knowledge sharing and community engagement.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The 150-year milestone of the India Meteorological Department marks a significant advancement in early warning systems that are integral to achieving multiple Sustainable Development Goals. By fostering innovation, regional cooperation, and inclusive community engagement, IMD and AIDMI exemplify leadership in climate resilience and disaster risk reduction.

Stakeholders are encouraged to subscribe to AIDMI’s platform (https://aidmi.org/signup/) to access cutting-edge knowledge, participate in dynamic learning networks, and contribute to shaping policies and actions that uphold the SDGs across South Asia.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • The article focuses on early warning systems for climate risks such as heatwaves, cyclones, and floods, which are central to climate action.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Emphasizes inclusive and equitable early warning systems to protect urban populations, including women-led small businesses in cities.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Early warning systems for extreme heat and other climate hazards contribute to reducing health risks and saving lives.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Development and use of advanced meteorological and space technologies for weather services.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Collaboration between India Meteorological Department, All India Disaster Mitigation Institute, WMO, IFRC, and other stakeholders.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 13: Climate Action
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning.
2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.5: Significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected by disasters, including water-related disasters.
   • Target 11.b: Increase the number of cities adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure.
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors.
5. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for Target 13.1: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
2. Indicator for Target 13.3: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning into primary, secondary and tertiary curricula.
3. Indicator for Target 11.5: Number of deaths, missing persons and directly affected persons attributed to disasters per 100,000 population.
4. Indicator for Target 3.d: International Health Regulations (IHR) capacity and health emergency preparedness.
5. Indicator for Target 9.5: Research and development expenditure as a proportion of GDP and number of researchers per million inhabitants.
6. Indicator for Target 17.16: Number of multi-stakeholder partnerships addressing sustainable development.
7. Implied indicators:
   • Effectiveness and reach of early warning systems (e.g., coverage, lead time, accuracy).
   • Number of people benefiting from anticipatory actions and disaster mitigation strategies.
   • Inclusion metrics, such as participation of vulnerable groups (e.g., women-led small businesses) in early warning and response systems.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: reliefweb.int