In recent news, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow weather warning predicting heavy rain and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh. This doesn’t merely forecast bad weather; it signals severely adverse conditions that may persist over several days.
But what does this yellow warning mean? Why is a colour-coding system employed, and how should people interpret these colours? To answer these and shed more light on the IMD, this article provides a detailed overview of the colour-coded weather warning system and provides key facts about the IMD.
The Colour-Coded Weather Warning System
The colour-coded weather warning system is a service of the IMD. It aims to alert the public in advance about severe or hazardous weather conditions that could potentially cause damage, widespread disruption, or pose a danger to life. These warnings are updated daily and use four specific colour codes.
Interpretation of Colour Codes
1. Green – Symbolises “All is well”. No advisory is issued under this code.
2. Yellow – Stands for “Be Aware”. Yellow signifies severely bad weather spanning across several days, hinting towards potential deterioration of weather which could disrupt daily activities.
3. Orange/Amber – Represents “Be Prepared”. Orange alerts indicate extremely bad weather with the potential to disrupt commute, including road and rail closures, and interrupt power supply.
4. Red – Implies “Take Action”. A red alert is issued when extremely bad weather conditions, which could disrupt travel, power and pose significant risks to life, are imminent.
These colour-coded alerts are universally applicable and can also be issued in cases of floods, depending on the extent of water rising above land or within a river as a result of heavy rainfall.
Instances of Alerts
For instance, a yellow alert is issued when the water in a river is ‘above normal’ but between the ‘warning’ and ‘danger’ levels.
Key Facts About Indian Meteorological Department
| Established in | 1875 |
|---|---|
| Affiliated to | Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India |
| Main Responsibilities | Meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology |
The Role of IMD
The IMD operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India. As the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting, and seismology, it plays a crucial role in providing timely and effective weather alerts that help in minimizing damage and disruption caused by adverse weather conditions.
