Shillong, Nov 15: In a significant milestone, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) installed an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) in Mawsynram, Meghalaya, the world’s wettest place.
The automatic weather station will help in monitoring weather on a real-time basis, which will help in weather forecasting.
The inauguration was a highlight of the Stakeholder Workshop held today to commemorate IMD’s 150 years of service to the nation.
The workshop, organized by the Meteorological Centre Shillong, was attended by dignitaries including Matsiewdor War Nongbri, Secretary of Revenue and Disaster Management, Government of Meghalaya, and Dr. M. Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, IMD.
Shri A.L. Shangpliang, Rangbah Shnong of Mawsynram, expressed gratitude to IMD for the AWS and proposed a state-of-the-art weather observatory and exhibition center to attract tourists and educate the public. He also offered land for the proposed project, demonstrating the local community’s support for advancing meteorological research.
Dr. Mohapatra highlighted the evolution of IMD since its establishment in 1875, its advancements in weather forecasting, and the launch of “Mausamgram,” a tool for location-specific 10-day weather forecasts. The Chief Guest lauded IMD’s contributions and urged further adoption of its applications, particularly in impact-based forecasting and alert protocols.
Technical presentations and discussions enriched the workshop, addressing disaster management, agriculture, and water resources.
