Hardeep Jamwal, Journalist, Jammu
A state-of-the-art Regional Meteorological Center (RMC) of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) was inaugurated in Jammu on Friday, significantly strengthening weather forecasting and disaster management capabilities in the region. Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the new centre. It will serve as a key hub for weather-related services across the entire North-West Himalayan region, including Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and Himachal Pradesh.
Jammu & Kashmir’s Minister for Science and Technology Satish Sharma, IMD Director General Dr. M. Mohapatra, and several senior officials attended the ceremony held at the Convention Center in Jammu.
The new weather center is equipped with cutting-edge technology. An extensive network comprising X-band Doppler weather radars and automatic weather stations has been established here, enabling real-time weather monitoring and more accurate forecasting. Officials stated that this facility will ensure faster and more precise dissemination of weather-related information for mountainous and remote areas.
According to experts, the center will play a crucial role in issuing timely warnings for heavy rainfall, cloudbursts, flash floods, avalanches, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events. This will assist disaster management agencies in better preparing for relief and rescue operations, thereby minimizing the loss of life and property.
Sectors such as agriculture, aviation, hydropower, tourism, and transport are also expected to benefit from this centre. Farmers will receive weather-based advisories, while the tourism and aviation sectors will gain access to more accurate weather data.
Officials noted that the center would also play a vital role during the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. Timely weather advisories and warnings will be issued to pilgrims and the administration, helping to ensure a safe and smooth pilgrimage.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that the new Regional Meteorological Center established in Jammu would elevate weather forecasting capabilities in the North-West Himalayan region to new heights. He stated that this centre, equipped with modern technology, would make a significant contribution to mitigating the impact of natural disasters and ensuring the safety of the people.
This center will not only strengthen weather forecasting services but also provide a new direction for scientific research, disaster risk reduction, and climate-related studies across the entire region.
