About Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai

प्रादेशिक मौसम विज्ञान कें द्र, चने्नई

மண்டல வானிலல ஆய்வு லமயம், சென்லன

India Meteorological Department (IMD) is the National Meteorological Service and the Principal Government Agency in matters relating to Meteorology.

Established in 1875, IMD is one of the oldest premier scientific institutions of India

Functions under Ministry of Earth Sciences

Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai is one of the six regional centres of IMD.

Government of India Earth System Science Organisation India Meteorological Department

Historical Background - Over Two Centuries of History

The first meteorological observatory in the country was established at Chennai in 1792

IMD’s Mandate

To take meteorological observations and to provide current and forecast meteorological information for optimum operation of weather-sensitive activities like agriculture, irrigation, shipping, aviation, offshore oil explorations, etc.

To warn against severe weather phenomena like tropical cyclones, norwesters, duststorms, heavy rains and snow, cold and heat waves, etc., which cause destruction of life and property.

To provide meteorological statistics required for agriculture, water resource management, industries, oil exploration and other nation-building activities.

To conduct and promote research in meteorology and allied disciplines

IMD’s Services to the Nation

Mandate of RMC Chennai

To carry out the responsibilities of IMD pertaining to the states of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka & Kerala and Union Territories of Puducherry and Lakshadweep.

Regional Synoptic Observations – surface; upper air & other special observations

Data Reception & Transmission

Data analysis & short to medium range weather forecasting; Preparation & dissemination of warning products

Data archival & supply

Research & Development (Research & co-ordination; IT development; Cyclone research; NWP experiments)

Training courses for scientific / technical

personnel

HR & Office management; Budget & Accounts; Official language implementation

Forecasts & warnings for specific sectors - Aviation, Marine, Agriculture, River basins etc.

Responsibilities of

RMC Chennai

Observatory Networks & Frequency of Observations

Manned surface observatories (3-hrly observations)

Automatic weather stations (hrly observations)

Automatic raingauge stations (daily)

State - District rainfall monitoring stations (daily)

Pilot Balloon Upper air observatories (6-hrly)

Radiosonde/ GPSsonde Upper air observatories (twice daily)

Radar observations (continuous monitoring)

Radiation monitoring stations (daily)

Agro-met & Soil moisture observatories (daily)

Polar orbiting satellite – earth receiving station

Observatory Upkeep & Quality Control

Conduct routine observatory inspections

Ensure exposure conditions as stipulated by WMO

Instruments maintenance

Calibration with respect to standard equipments

Maintenance of raingauge stations (State)

Regional Synoptic Observations – surface; upper air & other special

observations

Surface Observatories AWS Network

RADAR Network

District Rainfall monitoring

Upper air Observatories Agro-met Observatories Radiation Network

IMD’s Observatory Networks

Data reception

Collect observational data from field stations

Data transmission

Transmit observed data to other regional and national meteorological centres through Automatic Message Switching System

Data Reception & Transmission

Data Analysis

Prepare synoptic surface and upper air charts

Analyse synoptic, satellite, Radar & NWP products and derive the current weather situation & future scenario

Discuss with other IMD forecasters through video-conferencing

Prepare current weather summary

Weather Forecasting

Issue regional / state level weather forecasts (for next 5 days) & updates

Issue significant weather warnings

Issue location specific forecasts (state level; for next 5 days) & updates

Prepare state level district rainfall status

Issue local forecast and updates

Issue specialised forecasts for marine and fishing community, tourists etc.

Issue cyclone forecasts and warnings during cyclone periods

Disseminate forecasts /warnings through website, email, SMS, media briefings etc.

Data Analysis & Weather Forecasting (Regional Weather Forecasting Centre)

Data Archival

Scrutinise the observational data from field stations

Tabulate meteorological parameters for various locations at different time scales

Transmit the data to National Data Centre, Pune for national level archival

Data supply

Supply meteorological data for regional weather queries

Data Archival & Supply (Regional Climate Data Centre)

IT development

Develop tools for generation of forecast and warning products

Office automation

Upgradation and maintenance of servers

Network management

Communication systems management

Meteorological Research

Conduct research studies on regional meteorological problems

Conduct research on Tropical Cyclones

Develop analytical tools and applications

Generate NWP guidance products & conduct studies on NWP guidance

Research & Development

Aviation

Issue meteorological briefings to pilots

Issue current weather information & forecasts for take-off, landing airports & enroute forecasts

Maintenance of airport meteorological equipments

Sectoral Weather Information & Forecasts

Agriculture

Issue weekly weather bulletins for farmers

Co-ordinate with state governments

Marine

Issue fishermen warnings daily for maritime states of the region with regular updates

Issue port warnings daily

Issue coastal weather bulletins twice a day

Flood warnings for river basins

Provide rainfall information to Central Water Commission for issue of flood warnings for river basins

Regional Training Centre

Conduct training courses for new recruit scientific assistants

Conduct intermediate training course for middle level personnel

Capacity building

Depute personnel from the region for advanced meteorological / instrumentation training programmes conducted at Pune / New Delhi.

Depute personnel for specialised training programmes (Doppler Weather Radar, Synergie, Nowcasting etc.)

Training & Capacity building

Personnel Adminstration

Maintain service records of IMD personnel serving in the region

Manage staff strength at field stations

Provide service particulars of personnel to HQ regarding transfers, trainings, promotion etc.

Recruitment of Group C personnel

Budget & Accounts

Draw salary of personnel posted in the region

Provide budget estimates to HQ

Deduct income tax for all personnel serving in the region from their salary and remit to IT department

Settle tour, medical and over-time claims of personnel serving in the region

Human Resource Management

General Administration

Quarters allotment

Office maintenance

Stores & Purchase

Annual Maintenance of computers and electronic equipments

Handle RTI queries

Implementation of Official Language

Staff welfare measures

Thank You