India Meteorological Department (IMD) on January 15, 2021 celebrated its 146th Foundation Day.
- IMD has been playing a significant role in protecting lives and livelihoods from the adverse effects of extreme weather events since its establishment in 1875.
- In the year 1875, the Government of India established the India Meteorological Department, bringing all meteorological work in the country under a central authority.
- Mr. H. F. Blanford was appointed Meteorological Reporter to the Government of India.
- The first Director General of Observatories was Sir John Eliot who was appointed in May 1889 at Calcutta headquarters.
- The headquarters of IMD were later shifted to Shimla, then to Poona (now Pune) and finally to New Delhi.
- WMO has recognized IMD for various activities like continuous observations for more than 100 years. About 12 observatories in the country have been recognized so far as centennial stations.
