Parliament Question: IMD Observatories

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6073 TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 1ST APRIL, 2026 IMD OBSERVATORIES 6073. THIRU ARUN NEHRU: Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state: (a) the details of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) observatories and advisory coverage in Tamil Nadu, district-wise; (b) the details of resources deployed for Perambalur Lok Sabha Constituency; and (c) the details of plans for additional weather stations in drought-prone districts of Tamil Nadu? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH) (a) India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry, maintains a network of meteorological observatories across Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry consisting of 35 manual surface meteorological observatories (both departmental and non- departmental), 56 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), 87 Automatic Rain Gauges (ARGs), 11 Agro-AWS. However, each district in Tamil Nadu has at least 2 to 3 AWS/ARG/Agro-AWS out of the currently available 154 observing stations. In addition, there are 5 Doppler Weather Radars (Chennai port, Chennai Pallikaranai, Karaikal, Kalpakkam (BARC), and Sriharikota (ISRO)). All districts of Tamil Nadu are covered under district-level and block-level agro-meteorological advisory services under Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS), issued bi-weekly. (b) Perambalur Lok Sabha Constituency is covered under the India Meteorological Department’s observational and advisory framework. These resources ensure continuous weather monitoring and timely advisory support for agriculture, disaster preparedness, and public safety. The following resources are available:  AWS and ARGs in and around the Perambalur district as part of the State-wide network.  Coverage under District-wise Rainfall Monitoring Scheme (DRMS), Block- wise Rainfall Monitoring Scheme (BRMS), district-level weather forecasts, and agro-meteorological advisories issued under the Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS).  Dissemination of forecasts and warnings through SMS, mobile applications, print, and electronic media.  Early warning services for extreme weather events, including heat waves, heavy rainfall, and dry spells.Specifically, in the Perambalur constituency:  One AWS is operational at Perambalur town.  Two ARGs are operational-one at Chettikulam and the other at Veppanthattai.  DRMS station. (c) The Ministry is in continuous endeavour of augmenting the observational network, including AWS, ARGs, Agro-AWS, DWRs, and research and development infrastructure, including Tamil Nadu, towards achieving better accuracy in weather forecasting, as well as to strengthen timely early warning systems. ********