Shimla: The Meteorological Centre, Shimla on 14th January, 2025 hosted a special program to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the establishment of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the occasion from New Delhi, with his speech being broadcast to all guests at the function.
DC Rana, Director of the State Disaster Management Authority, who was the chief guest for the event, emphasized the state government’s ongoing efforts to expand the network of radars across Himachal Pradesh. He noted that the data collected from these radars would soon be integrated with IMD’s data, significantly enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasts. “This integration will bring more precision to weather predictions,” said Rana.
In his address, Atul Dogra, Joint Director of Agriculture, highlighted the crucial role of the Meteorology Department in the agricultural sector. He shared that the Agriculture Department is working to expand the observation network under the Centre’s ‘WINDS’ project, aimed at providing accurate weather information to farmers and horticulturists in the state.
Sanjeev Sharma, Principal Scientist at the Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla, spoke about the institute’s role in developing different potato varieties suited to various climatic zones of India. This was achieved through detailed analysis of historical meteorological data from the IMD.
Harish Chauhan, a progressive grower, stressed the importance of scientific research on the impact of climate change, particularly on crops like apples, which are vulnerable to changing weather patterns.
Kuldeep Srivastava, Director of the Meteorological Centre, welcomed the guests and reaffirmed the Shimla Centre’s commitment to utilizing cutting-edge technology and fostering a collaborative approach to support India’s socio-economic development in the face of climate change.
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Early Beginnings:
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The India Meteorological Department (IMD) was established in 1875 with its headquarters in Calcutta (now Kolkata). Almost simultaneously, a branch office was set up in Simla, which was then the summer capital of British India since 1864. This branch in Simla was significant because of its strategic location in the Himalayas, which was important for weather observations due to its unique climatic conditions and its role as the summer capital.
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Development and Expansion:
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Over the years, the Simla office became increasingly vital for meteorological activities. It was responsible for issuing weather forecasts for the northern regions, particularly the Himalayas. The station in Simla was one of the earliest to provide weather services in India, contributing to the network of observations necessary for the development of weather prediction across the subcontinent.
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Shifting to Poona (Pune):
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In 1926, the decision was made to shift the IMD headquarters from Simla to Poona (now Pune), reflecting the need for a more centralized location for weather services. The first section of the office began functioning in Poona by the end of March 1928, and by July of the same year, the headquarters were officially moved to a new building in Pune. This move was completed by the middle of 1928, with the building being inaugurated by the then Governor of Bombay, Sir Leslie Orme Wilson.
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Legacy and Current Status:
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Post-independence, while the headquarters moved, the term “Simla Office” remained in use for the IMD’s office in Pune, now known as the Pune Meteorological Centre. This name continues to be used colloquially, reflecting its historical significance.
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Cultural and Historical Impact:
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The Simla station was not just a meteorological entity but also part of the broader cultural and administrative legacy of British India. The move of the meteorological office from Simla to Pune was part of a larger shift in administrative centers as India transitioned through various phases of governance.
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Meteorological Centre in Shimla:
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Although the headquarters moved, Shimla continued to have meteorological services. Today, there is a Meteorological Centre in Shimla that deals with weather forecasts for Himachal Pradesh, indicating that while the main administrative and operational hub shifted, Shimla maintained its role in local weather observations and forecasting.
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