The story of weather forecasting

The story of weather forecasting dates back to the time when a devastating cyclone and famine hit Bengal during the dark period of British rule, resulting in the loss of thousands of lives. It was around this time that the Indian Meteorological Department was established. Let's delve into the history and present of weather prediction. A few days ago, an interesting news came from Dijon, France. A resident asked the weather department if the weather would be clear on the day of his wedding party. The weather department assured him that the weather would be fine. However, an unexpected snowfall occurred, causing chaos at the wedding celebration. Subsequently, the person filed a complaint in the consumer forum against the weather department, blaming them for the loss he incurred. Despite advanced European technology and satellite analysis for weather prediction, inaccuracies still occur. The history of weather forecasting in India is poignant, starting during a time when the agrarian community was suffering due to oppressive tax collection and maladministration. The catastrophic cyclone in Kolkata in 1864 and the famines in Bengal in 1866 and 1871 claimed numerous lives. In response to such crises, the Indian Meteorological Department was established to provide accurate weather forecasts, primarily aimed at helping farmers predict rainfall to avoid situations like famines. The first use of computers in weather forecasting took place in India. After the Bengal famine, the Indian Meteorological Department was founded, and H.F. Blanford was appointed as the first Meteorological Reporter. In 1889, Sir John Eliot became the first Director-General. Over time, the IMD (Indian Meteorological Department) continued to update itself, expanding its services and developing fundamental structures for regional offices, communication, and services related to weather predictions.

In the context of India's agrarian dependence, where a significant portion of the population relies on farming, weather forecasting plays a crucial role. The use of technology has evolved, and now we have satellite systems and modern tools for receiving and analyzing information. Thermometers and barometers, the predecessors of modern instruments, were crucial in the early stages of weather prediction. India's population, to a large extent, still depends on agriculture, with a significant portion relying on rainfall for cultivation. The history of weather forecasting in India traces back to 3000 BCE, involving traditional methods and sayings. However, scientifically, the beginning can be traced to the 17th century when the thermometer and barometer were invented. Edmund Halley's theory, based on the warm currents around India and the Indian Ocean, contributed to the understanding of geography and the direction of warm air movements. The first world weather map was created in the early 19th century by the American naval officer Matthew Fontaine Maury. After the Bengal famine, British warships began circling the globe, collecting weather data worldwide. In 2010, a professor at the University of Michigan documented this journey in a book. The term "cyclone" was first used by Captain Henry Piddington in India. The East India Company established observatories for studying weather and climate. The first Asian Society, established in Kolkata in 1785, focused on weather forecasting. Captain Henry Piddington published 40 research papers from 1835 to 1855, introducing the term "cyclone" and discussing ways to deal with them. Notably, the eastern and northern parts of India still face the impact of cyclones.