IMD - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   Which of the following is/are the special forecasts given by the IMD?

1) Shri Amarnath Yatra Forecast.
2) Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra Forecast
3) Tourism forecasts
4) Highway forecasts


a. 1, 2
b. 3, 4
c. Only 3
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: All of the above

Explanation:

  • IMD provides specialized forecasts for all the above.
  • It also has mountain weather bulletin under this category


2)   Which of the following forecasts are given by the IMD?

1) Monsoon forecasts
2) Summer forecasts
3) Winter forecasts


a. 1 and 3
b. 2 and 3
c. 1 and 2
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1 and 2

Explanation:

  • For the first time in its history, the India Meteorological Department — best known for its monsoon forecasts — will issue a summer forecast for April, May and June. Those involved say that though such a forecast may not be of much help to farmers — who rely on IMD’s rain forecasts to make sowing decisions and don’t plant their crops in these months — the information would be useful to power companies, several service-sector industries and state planners who’d like a heads-up on possible water shortages.
  • In mid-March, the IMD will send out a color-coded map of India, showing how temperatures in different regions of the country are likely to deviate from what’s normal, during summer months. These numbers would be updated every five days
  • IMD reports to Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  • Businesses that have requested summer forecasts include manufacturers of refrigerators, air conditioners, ice cream and cold drinks.
  • The IMD does give warnings about imminent heat waves and dry weather but these are no more than five days ahead. The key factor to forecasting weather a few months ahead is in ensuring that the computerized weather models are consistently able to simulate the weather as it actually plays out.


3)   Indian Meteorological Department is agency of -

a. Ministry of Environment
b. Ministry of Agriculture
c. Ministry of Science
d. Ministry of Earth science
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Ministry of Earth science

Explanation:
- Indian Meteorological Department is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology.
- It is headquartered in New Delhi and operates hundreds of observation stations across India and Antarctica.
- IMD is one of the 6 worldwide Regional Specialised Meteorological Centres of the Tropical Cyclone Programme of the World Weather Watch of the World Meteorological Organization.
- It is regional nodal agency for forecasting, naming and disseminating warnings about tropical cyclone in the Indian Ocean north of the Equator.


4)   Which of the following statements is/are correct about new IMD norms?

1. Forecasts of heat and cold waves over a sub-division will be issued only if at least two stations in the sub-division are expected to experience such conditions
2. Heat wave is declared when temperatures are greater than 4.50C above usual temperatures for the region.


a. Only 1
b. Only 2
c. Both
d. None
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Both

Explanation:
Forecasts of heat and cold waves over a sub-division will be issued only if at least two stations in the sub-division are expected to experience such conditions
Heat wave: Temperatures are greater than 4.50C above usual temperatures for the region.
Severe heat wave: Temperatures are greater than or equal to 470C.
Cold wave: Temperatures are less than 4.50C above usual temperatures for the region.
Severe cold wave: Temperatures are less than 20C