Southasiadisasters.net, Issue No. 221 | June 2025

This special issue of Southasiadisasters.net on “Celebrating 150 Years of IMD: Frontiers for Early Warning” marks 150 years of the India Meteorological Department (IMD)—a journey from traditional forecasting to leading-edge early warning systems. Featuring expert insights on heatwaves, cyclones, floods, and climate resilience, the issue showcases how IMD is helping India and the region move from forecasts to anticipatory action. As the climate crisis grows, this edition explores bold, people-first solutions to ensure early warning systems leave no one behind.

In This Issue:

1. Introduction

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

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

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

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

        Sanjay Agrawal, Dy Director General, Disaster Management, Ministry of Communications, Government of India, New Delhi, India

4. Local Action, Global Reach: Forging a Resilient Future Against the Silent Scourge of Extreme Heat

        Jagan Chapagain, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the IFRC, Geneva, Switzerland

5. Flood Forecasting in India: Journey from 1958

        Sharad Chandra, Commissioner (Flood Management) and Rajesh Kumar, Sr. Joint Commissioner (Flood Management), Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti, New Delhi, India

6. Weather Services for the Power Sector: Key Achievements and Opportunities

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

7. How to Make Heatwave Early Warning More Effective? Key Action Areas
8. S. Hosalikar, Former Head, Surface Instrument Div, IMD Pune; Rajib Chattopadhyay, IITM Pune; and Annanya Karmakar, CRS, IMD Pune, India
9. Evolution of Meteorological Services in India and Future Scenario

        Dr. Ranjan Kelkar, Former Director General, India Meteorological Department, Pune, India

9. Space Technology for Weather Services: An Essential Component

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

10. IMD in South Asia: A View from Myanmar

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

11. Pathways on Numerical Weather Prediction for Weather Services in India

        Dr. U. C. Mohanty, Distinguished Professor, Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (Deemed to be University), Bhubaneswar, India

12. Extreme Heat Early Warning and Anticipatory Actions for Women-Led Small Businesses in Cities of India

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

13. Strengthening Early Warning Systems for the Next Generation

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