Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai …

1 About Regional Meteorological Centre, Chennai , , 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.

2 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.

3 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.)

4 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.

5 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.

6 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