IMD claims to be the best agency in cyclone prediction accuracy globally

NEW DELHI: The India Meteorological Department ( IMD ) on Friday stated that the country's national weather forecast agency is the best in the world regarding the accuracy of cyclone predictions. It cited the latest example of predicting Cyclone Dana to substantiate its claim about zero error on the landfall point and timing.

IMD Chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra compared its forecast with the one made by the US Joint Typhoon Warning Center ( JTWC ), which forecasts tropical cyclones across the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

He shared that the IMD made its forecast on October 21 at the stage of a low-pressure area , which was about 4.5 days ahead of the landfall. This provided enough time to take multiple precautionary measures for saving lives and properties, whereas the JTWC did it on October 23 at the stage of a cyclonic storm, about 1.5 days ahead of landfall.


The severe cyclonic storm Dana crossed the north Odisha coast close to Habalikhati Nature Camp (Bhitarkanika) and Dhamara from 1:30 - 3:30 am on October 25, with a wind speed of 100-110 kmph gusting to 120 kmph.

Without naming any agency, Mohapatra appealed to people to "believe in IMD's forecasts" instead of relying on "other sources".