Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) launched heat index

Tags: Environment

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has come out with the heat index for different regions of the country on the basis of recent tests.

An Overview of the News

• This was announced by Union Earth Sciences Minister Kiren Rijiju.

• The heat index is designed to provide general guidance and information about the level of discomfort caused by high temperatures in the hot regions of India.

• By releasing the Heat Index, the IMD aims to provide valuable insights into heat-related conditions to help people better cope with extreme temperatures.

About Heat Index:

• Purpose of Heat Index: The heat index launched by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) aims to provide information on the effect of humidity on high temperatures. It calculates a "feel-like" temperature for humans, which shows how the weather conditions can cause discomfort.

• Pilot Implementation: The Heat Index is currently being implemented on a pilot basis across the country including the state of Andhra Pradesh. This allows the accuracy and relevance of the index to be tested and refined.

• Heat index for specific cities: Under the Heat Action Plan, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) collaborates with local agencies such as the Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) to assess the heat index for specific cities such as Bhubaneswar and Ahmedabad.

• Colour-coded system: The Heat Index uses a colour-coded system to indicate the severity of weather conditions:

  • Green: Experimental heat index below 35 °C.

  • Yellow: Experimental heat index in the range of 36–45 °C.

  • Orange: Experimental heat index in the range of 46–55 °C.

  • Red: Experimental heat index above 55 °C.

Importance of Heat Index:

• People gain a better understanding of how humidity affects higher temperatures, leading to a more accurate perception of weather conditions.

• The Heat Index helps identify the level of discomfort and potential health risks caused by excessive heat.

• By knowing the heat index, individuals can take necessary precautions to minimize discomfort and avoid heat-related health problems.

• In addition to reporting the day's minimum and maximum temperatures, the heat index also provides information on what the current temperature feels like, taking into account the humidity level.

• The Heat Index uses air temperature and relative humidity data to deliver accurate and relevant information to the public.

Indian Meteorological Department:

• It was established on 15 January 1875 and operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India.

• The department is primarily responsible for conducting meteorological observations, providing weather forecasts and conducting activities related to seismology.

• Its headquarters, known as Mausam Bhawan, is located in New Delhi.