Context:
Recently, the IMD issued colour-coded alerts for the Northeast India and Marathwada region of Central Maharashtra.
Key highlights:
- The India Meteorology Department (IMD) issued a yellow alert indicating moderate to heavy rainfall in several pockets of central Maharashtra and Marathwada regions including Sholapur, Nanded, Latur, Osmanabad, Amravati, Chandrapur, Gadchiroli and Nagpur.
- The IMD issued an ‘Orange Alert’ and forecast “heavy to very heavy” rainfall across several states of the northeast over the next five days.
India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- It was established in 1875.
- It is the primary government agency responsible for weather forecasting, meteorological observations, and seismology in India.
- It functions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Function of IMD:
- IMD provides weather forecasts across various time scales, ranging from short-term nowcasts to extended range forecasts and seasonal outlooks.They also issue weather warnings for severe weather events like cyclones.
- IMD offers meteorological services for various sectors including agriculture, aviation, civil aviation and disaster management.
- IMD monitors seismic activity in the country.
IMD four-color coded system:
- Green: This code signifies “all is well” and indicates no adverse weather is expected. No advisory is issued.
- Yellow: A yellow alert means “be aware” of bad weather conditions. This could include heavy rain, thunderstorms, or snowfall that could disrupt daily activities.
- Orange: An orange alert is issued for “be prepared” situations. This indicates extremely bad weather is likely, with the possibility of disruptions to travel, power outages, and communication issues.
- Red: This is the most severe warning level, signifying “take action.” A red alert is issued when extremely hazardous weather conditions are guaranteed, posing a significant risk to life and property.
These alerts are universal and are not used exclusively for rainfall but for a range of natural calamities including floods, cyclones, snowstorms and other dangerous weather events.