Shri Kiren Rijiju says IMD has launched Heat Index

• Recently, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences informed that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has launched the Heat Index on an experimental basis.

The Heat Index

• Aim: To provide general guidance for the regions within India where, the apparent temperature/feel like temperature are on the higher side causing discomfort for the people.
• It provides information about the impact of humidity on the high temperatures and thus provides a feel-like temperature for human beings which can be used as an indication for human discomfort.
• It provides guidance towards additional care to be taken by people to reduce discomfort.
• It is derived using the heat index equation similar to what is used by the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), USA
• Colour codes used for Experimental Heat Index
  • Green: Experimental heat Index less than 35° C
  • Yellow: Experimental heat Index in the range 36-45° C
  • Orange: Experimental heat Index in the range 46-55°C
  • Red: Experimental heat Index greater than 55 °C

India Meteorological Department

• IMD was established in 1875.
• It is an agency of the Ministry of Earth Sciences of the Government of India.
• It is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology

Prelims Takeaway

• India Meteorological Department
• The Heat Index