Annual Report 1999-2000

Scientific Services

India Meteorological Department

Technology Development Projects

• Indigenous development of Doppler Weather Radar including radome panels, transmitter / receiver modules etc. under an MOU signed between IMD and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is in the fabrication and testing stages. Software for radar operation and data processing is being generated.
• Ten National Seismological Observatories in Indian Peninsular Region have been upgraded with Seismographs of the Standard of Global Seismological Network (GSN). Ten more National Seismological Observatories in Peninsular Shield Region have been upgraded with Broadband Digital Seismographs.
• 30 nos. Seismological sensors to be used as backup for ten GSN standard stations have been procured and are being installed.
• Equipment for a Seismological Telemetry Network for Delhi and its neighbourhood have been received and shall be installed soon.
• INSAT ground reception, processing system is being upgraded to handle additional data from INSAT-2E Satellite. INSA'I'- 2E has Very High Resolution Radiometer (VHRR) and Charge Coupled Device (CCD) pay-load of higher resolutions.
• High Resolution picture transmission reception at MD New Delhi is under replacement. This will update the system of data reception from the NOAA series of satellites.
• Under the INDO-US Co-operation programme, data exchange centre has been established at IMD New Delhi. The Data Exchange Centre was formally inaugurated on November 17, 1999. INSAT data is being sent to USA and GOES satellite data is being received in IMD alongwith other earth atmospheric data. The Indian scientists from different institutes are working in this project.
  
• METEOS'I'AT-5, an EUMETSAT satellite data reception facility is being created in IMD. The reception equipment has been received and will be installed soon. This satellite covers Indian region.
  
• In keeping with the world-wide developments in Internet, IMD has implemented its website alongwith ftp and e-mail servers for dissemination of daily weather cyclone and earthquake information..
  
• Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) have been introduced to IMD's telecommunication network in 1993 linking important seismic observatories, ACWCs, CWCs, CDRs and the Weather Forecasting Office, Pune with Telecommunication Division at Delhi. Twenty VSA'I' stations are already operational and six new VSAT stations being commissioned shortly. The communication capabilities of Indian National Satellite (INSAI') have been utilised for transporting data, fax and imagery to forecasting offices in the field.
  
• A new Radiosonde IMD MK IV was developed in-house with electronic switching to the sensors with high resolution Radiosonde data.
  
• In order to equip RCs/MCs/ADGM(R) offices with latest technology for promotion of research and climatological work, a scheme was approved at a total cost of Rs.93 lakhs. Specifications for the capital equipment finalised for further modalities of purchase.
• An expert Committee formed to finalise the specifications of the software and hardware for the scheme 'Digitisation of analysed weather charts, met and submitted the report for finalisation.

Basic Research Projects

• Research work on development of Long Range Forecast models for different regions and periods, was carried out as follows:

(a) Models based on Power Regression, Dynamic Stochastic transfer, Neural Network and Principal Component Regression were developed for Long-Range Forecasts of Monsoon rainfall over 3 homogeneous regions of India.

(b) Models were also developed for long-range forecasts of NE-Monsoon rainfall over South Peninsula and Rabi season rainfall over NW India.

• Under the Mountain Meteorology project three Nos. of Radiosonde / Radiowind stations in the Himalayan region are being established.
• Micro-Earthquake survey in Chamoli earthquake has been carried out. A preliminary report on Chamoli Earthquake of March 1999 and after shock activities has been prepared and sent to all the important scientific organisations. Final report is under publication.

On-Going Research Work

• The Seismology Division is maintaining 9 river valley project observatories to monitor the seismicity around the Dams.
• Agrometeorological Division has undertaken Interrelation between crop pests and diseases and concurrent weather factors in collaboration with Agricultural Universities, Research Institutes with a view to forewarn their outbreaks, on the basis of forecast weather parameters. Efforts are also being made to delineate the risk zones and also likely epidemics of different major crop pests and diseases so that warning against their outbreak and also subsequent control measure can be adopted in tine.
• Ground based remote sensing techniques using ground truth radiometer- over wheat and maize crops arc being carried out on experimental basis by Agrometeorological Division.
• Agrometeorological Division has undertaken a number of collaborative projects with Agricultural Institutes of the country for studying crop weather relationship such as water requirement, energy balance of crop, water use pattern in Agroclimatic zones and response of crop to meteorological factors.
• Action is in progress for implementation of the following schemes:

  - Modernisation of CagMO, Pune, and 3 ARU's at Bangalore, Anand and Rahuri.
  - Replacement of old lysimeters.

• Application of Remote Sensing Techniques in Agricultural Meteorology.
• The Crop Yield Formulation Unit has developed empirical statistical models using correlation and regression technique to forecast crop yields on operational basis for 26 sub-divisions growing Kharif Rice and for 16 subdivisions growing Wheat. Based on these models pre-harvest monthly crop yield forecast for Kharif rice are being prepared for every year for 15 States and total rice production for the country as a whole from August to December and for Wheat for 12 States and total wheat production for the country as a whole from January to May. These are sent to Department of Economics and Statistics.
• World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) commenced a Background Air Pollution Monitoring Network "BAPMON Programme in 1972 and under Global Atmosphere Watch, GAW since 1989. In this connection India maintains a network of ten regional stations to monitor (i) Precipitation Chemistry and (ii) Atmospheric Turbidity, on long term basis. The ten Indian stations are at Allahabad, Jodhpur, Kodaikanal, Minicoy, Mohanbari, Nagpur, Port Blair, Pune, Srinagar and Vishakhapatnam covering different geographical regions. It also monitors 'Total Suspended Particulate Matter' at Jodhpur.

Ocean Research Cruise

IMD has participated in 3 Sagar Kanya Cruises during 1999. In first cruise under INDOEX (IFP-99) programme, 4 IMD officers participated from 21.1.1999 to 12.3.1999. Second cruise for Oceansat Validation sailed with 5 IMD officers during June-July 1999.

IMD supported BOBMEX project by taking on board observations (Sagar Kanya) and observations from coastal stations of Calcutta, Bhubaneswar, Karikal, Machlipatnam, Vishakhapatnam and Chennai from 15.7.99 to 31.8.99. In this project intensive Radiosonde / Radiowind as well as Radar observations were taken to study development of depression in Bay of Bengal for study of Southwest Monsoon.

Two IMD scientists participated in observational programme on ship ORV Sagar Kanya. The data brought back by them was scrutinised and sent to ADGM(R) Pune for archival purposes.

IMD Grant-in-Aid Research Programmes

India Meteorological Department has allocated Rs.25,0 lakh per year towards Research grants to Research Institutes/Universities/Societies for encouraging research work in the field of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences. At present under this programme, IMD is funding research projects at Jadavpur University and Centre for Atmospheric Sciences (CAS), lIT, Delhi.

Indian Meteorological Society, New Delhi, is being provided financial assistance for publication of its research journal 'Vayu Mandal'.

Technologies Transferred/ Commercialised

IMD received all adhoc payment of Rs.10.0 Crores from Airports Authority of India towards cost of meteorological services rendered for aviation.

Rs.22.5 lakhs has been collected towards data supply, coastal weather bulletins and sale of publications etc., and for providing weather information to various private TV channels in the Chennai region.

Meteorological observations recorded by the observatories all over India are scrutinised, processed and archived by National Data Centre (NDC), Pune and used for various purposes like construction, transport, irrigation, agriculture, industry, aviation, development schemes, public safety measures, railways etc., by various Governmental and private agencies. The Meteorological data are exchanged internationally also as per WMO commitment.

The NDC at Pune has the responsibility of supplying various types of Meteorological data demanded by the users within and outside tile country. During the period under consideration about 125.9 lakh records were retrieved and supplied to the different users.

A total amount of Rs. 11.8 lakhs and US $ 371 has been collected towards the supply of above data.

Climatic Diagnostic Bulletins of India for the months of February 1999 to September 1999, and for the winter season (January-February 1999) and for premonsoon season (March-May, 1999) have been published.

Ozonesonde and Radiometersonde were fabricated and supplied for taking special observations on board ships during INDOEX 1999.

Technical assistance was rendered to various Agricultural departments, Agricultural Universities, Research Institutes for installation of soil moisture and ET observatories and their establishment, logistics, maintenance, inspection and smooth running.

Processed Agro-Climatic data are supplied to end users like Ministry of Agriculture, State Departments of Agriculture, Scientists of Agricultural Universities/ Institutes for planning agricultural strategy and research work.

Development and manufacture of seismological instruments and accessories is undertaken in the departmental workshop. Besides, catering to the needs of the National Observatories, the Organisation also makes a limited supply of seismological instruments to other institutions.

The Meteorological Data Dissemination (MDD) reception facility provided to Maldives and Sri Lanka. Male MDD station has been upgraded by providing latest software and hardware under bilateral agreement. Bangladesh is being helped to acquire MDD reception facility in Dhaka.

TechnologyDemonstrationProjectsUndertaken in the Area of Socio-Economic Development

For near real time dissemination of cyclone warnings through satellite directly to the areas likely to be affected, 250 Cyclone Warning Dissemination System (CWDS) receivers have been installed along both East and West coasts of the country and are working satisfactorily. India Meteorological Department's Area Cyclone Warning Centres (ACWCS) are responsible for originating and disseminating the cyclone warnings through INSAT in broadcast mode to likely affected areas. The service is unique in the world and helps public in general and the local administration during the cyclone season to take preventive measures for disasters mitigation.

IMD and INSAT successfully tracked the recent super cyclone of Orissa pictures played key role in estimating various parameters.

Crop weather calendars for different crops are prepared to use as a guiding tool for the preparation of Farmers' Weather Bulletin issued daily by the different meteorological centres of the country. These calendars depict the state and stage of crop, normal weather conditions and warning to be issued based on forecast weather parameters. The calendars also give a ready form of' weather elements detrimental to crop in various developmental and growth stages.

Seven Pilot Balloon-cum~Micromet observatories are functioning in west Rajasthan and adjoining areas to study the meteorological aspects about the movements of desert locust swarms. Special forecast of rainfall and upper wind and also locust sighting observations are taken in Rajasthan and adjoining areas during swarm incidence for anti-locust operation to be adopted by the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage (PPQ&S), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, during the locust season.

A temporary observatory set up was installed each at Surendranagar and Cyclone Detection Radar, Bhuj for conducting special observational programme during total solar eclipse period August 8-14, 1999.

Research Highlights

For the last 12 years, long range forecast of monsoon rainfall have been issued using 16 parameter Power Regression and Parametric models. Other models based on DST, Multiple Regression, Neural etwork and Principal Component Regression also have been used.

LRF issued by IMD in May 1999 indicated normal monsoon for the year 1999 (Quantitatively 108% of LPA + 4% EME). For the country as a whole, the total rainfall during monsoon season was 96% of I.PA making the year 12th normal monsoon year in succession.

Long Range Forecasts or 3 homogeneous regions of India, viz., NW India, Peninsula and NE India have been reintroduced.

Ground based remote sensing techniques using ground truth radiometer over wheat and maize crops are being carried out on experimental basis.

Seismic Division undertakes research in the fundamental and applied seismology. Special studies of important earthquakes occurring in and near India are also taken up. Use of Broadband Digital data has improved such studies. In addition, work on Engineering Seismology is done by participating in explainry experiments. It provides services related to earthquake of Strong Motions. The design seismic coefficient for large and small dams are supplied to the project authorities.

IMD team members of 17th Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica returned to India in the month of March 1999 by ship MV Polar Bird, after successful completion of the meteorological work at Maitri in Antarctica. The data brought back by them as scrutinised and sent to ADGM(R) Pune, for archival/research.

IMD team (two members) were selected for participation in 19th Indian Antarctic Expedition.

Brewer Spectrophotometer has been installed for the measurement of total ozone NO2 and S02 at Maitri, Antarctica.

Any other Information

Cyclone and Depression

Two cyclones formed in the Bay of Bengal, crossed Orissa coast during the month of October 1999. The first was a very severe cyclonic storm formed in the Bay of Bengal on October 17,1999. Moving in a north-westerly direction, it crossed Orissa coast near Gopalpur around mid-night of October 17,1999. As per report published by Government of Orissa, 197 human lives were lost and 402 persons were injured in Orissa and West Bengal due to this cyclone.

The second depression formed in the Bay of Bengal and acquired Intensity of a Super Cyclonic Storm by midnight of October 28,1999. Moving in a north-westerly direction it crossed Orissa coast near Paradip by forenoon of October 29, 1999. It then weakened into a Very Severe Cyclonic Storm with its centre about 30 Km. Northeast of Bhubaneshwar in the evening of the same day. It practically remained stationary over the same area for more than 24 hours and weakened into a Cyclonic Storm on 30th October evening. Thereafter the system weakened and moved north-easterly direction and then drifted south-westwards where it became unimportant.

As per the information received through the media, 9574 people lost their lives and 3,70,297 cattle head perished due to the super cyclone. This was country's worst cyclone in the recent past causing a damage to property worth Crores of Rupees. Estimated wind speed of 250 km. per hour was encountered in the core area of this super cyclone which also raised a tidal wave about 30 feet high that inundated parts of low lying areas along the Orissa coast. These factors were mainly responsible for the colossal loss of life and property.