METEOROLOGICAL TELECOMMUNICATION
( Meteorological
Telecommunication | Home )
1.
PURPOSE
Modern meteorology depends
upon near real time exchange of weather information across the entire globe.
Telecommunication Division of India Meteorological Department provides the
support function needed for meteorological data and processed products to the
users, both national and international.
2.
ORGANISATION
2.1
The Directorate of
Telecommunication was set up in IMD at New Delhi in 1969 to cater the need of
National Meteorological Service and strengthen the meteorological
telecommunication in India. Since its inception, IMD maintains an
extensive telecommunication network for speedy collection of meteorological
information, both basic data and processed products, over the globe. The main
telecommunication hub of the IMD’s telecommunication network is located at New
Delhi. It is now termed as National Meteorological Telecommunication
Centre (NMTC).
2.2
The Meteorological
Telecommunication in IMD consists of an integrated network of point-to-point
circuits and multipoint circuits which inter connect meteorological centers
within the country and the world for receiving data and relaying it
selectively. It is mainly organized on a two level basis, namely
The Meteorological Telecommunication
Network within the Global Telecommunication System (GTS) of World Weather Watch
(WWW) program of World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and The
National Meteorological Telecommunication Network
(NMTN)
2.3
GTS Network
As regards
Meteorological Telecommunication Networks within the GTS, New Delhi
telecommunication center is a designated Regional Telecommunication Hub (RTH)
located on the Main Trunk Network (MTN). The MTN is the core network of
GTS. It links together three World Meteorological Centers (WMCs) and 14
other RTHs on the MTN. The Centre is also a National Meteorological Centre
(NMC) for telecommunication purposes within the framework of GTS.
2.4
The National Meteorological
Telecommunication Network
The National
Meteorological Telecommunication Network (NMTN) is designed to collect
observational data and to receive and distribute meteorological information on
a national level. Basic data from the observatories are collected at 19
collection centers (which are either Meteorological Centers at the State
Capitals or Regional Meteorological Centre) by various telecommunication
means. The stations included in the list of Global Observing System
(GOS), the observational data of which are transmitted on GTS, are mostly
connected by point-to-point links.
2.5
Satellite based data communication in
IMD
Meteorological data and processed products
containing 3 hourly INSAT images,
surface and upper air data, aerodrome forecast, Wx. charts and model outputs, etc.
exchanged over GTS are broadcast using World Space “Asia Star” Satellite. The broadcast covers large areas of
Middle-East and South-East Asia at a downlink frequency of 1467- 1492 MHz.
A network of 26 VSATs have been installed at selected
seismological observatories, Cyclone Detection Radar stations, Cyclone Warning
Centers and Meteorological Centers for reception of observational data
utilizing communication transponder of INSAT.
A receive only Satellite Data Dissemination System
(SADIS) is in operation at New Delhi to receive aeronautical meteorological
information from International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Centers which
are routed to four International Airports of India for National and
International flight briefing and for providing data in GRIB/BUFR format for
wind/temperature and Sig. Wx. charts.
India has been
designated as an issuing service under the GMDSS programmed for Met. Area VIII
(N) which covers the entire Indian Ocean and some parts of South- West Indian
Ocean. Area of responsibility is between 10˚N and 80˚E.
India Meteorological
Department is transmitting daily two GMDSS bulletins for Met.
Area VIII (N), one at 0900 UTC and other at 1800 UTC. During Cyclone Season
additional bulletins (4) are also being issued for GMDSS broadcast depending on
the requirement. GMDSS bulletins are transferred to VSNL Earth Station at
Pune using a dedicated telex terminal.
2.6 Other Communication facilities.
Various modes of communications
such as VPN links, VSAT, VHF/ Walkie-Talkie, Mobile Phone and INTERNET facility are
extensively being used for collection of observational data within the
country. Services of Maritime Telex Stations (NAVTEX) are used for
sending warnings/coastal weather bulletins by NBDP (Narrow Band
Direct Printing telegraphy).
Telefax
facilities
Telefax facilities have been provided at
important meteorological offices for transmission/reception of Weather
information. This facility has been extended to Cyclone Detection Radar
stations, Cyclone Warning Centres and Meteorological Centres.
VHF/Walkie - Talkie
facilities
Walkie-Talkie sets have been provided at 27
National/International Airports and other stations for real time exchange of
Runway Visual Range (RVR) and meteorological information for safe aircraft
flights. VHF facilities have been provided to 20 additional stations for
exchange of meteorological information.
VSAT facilities
VSAT network facilities are available at 26 stations. These are some of
the Seismological Observatories, Cyclone Detection Radar Stations, Cyclone
Warning Centres, Meteorological Centres and at some other important
observatories where no reliable communications system exist. This network
operates utilizing communication transponders of INSAT.
High
Speed Data Terminal (HSDT) facilities
HSDT are available at 26 stations.
These terminals support communication using TCP/IP , email, SMS , Web ingest
& dialup. These terminals are mostly located at Meteorological Centres
located in State capitals. These terminals are used for collecting
observational data from observatories and routing this data to AMSS located at
Regional Met. Centres. Through these terminals Met Centres are receiving data
from AMSS centre in their region.
3. Modernization of Meteorological
Telecommunication
India Meteorological
Department has modernized its National Meteorological Telecommunication Centre (NMTC)
with a state-of-the-art switching computer system which has capabilities
comparable with any advanced WMO Centers on the GTS. The existing RTH computer
system is driven primarily by dual SUN server working on the stats-of-the-art
distributed networking technology. The whole
system has been designed to handle 128 channels. The system
is capable of handling 2200 Mbytes of data/information every day.
The system has many advanced facilities like handling VSAT links, Dial-up
Telex, handling Met fax, Auto Fax in, Auto Fax out, Data Modem-in, Data
Modem-out, exchange of T4 fax and handling sea area bulletins under
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. NMTC New Delhi is connected
to Super computer of NCMRWF through a 2Mb/sec link, and the computer at Regional
Specialized Meteorological Centre (RSMC) New Delhi through optical fiber link
for instantaneous transmission of global observational data and processed
information received via GTS.
Automatic Message
Switching computers (AMSS) are also operational at the major International airports
viz. Mumbai, Delhi, Calcutta, Chennai and Guwahati. The circuits linking
New Delhi (Palam), Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Guwahati Airport computers with
the NMTC New Delhi are working at high and medium speed.
4.
Public
Services
4.1
Website of IMD
Website of IMD is
operational since 1st June, 2000. It contains dynamically
updated information on all India Weather and forecasts, special monsoon report,
satellite cloud pictures (updated every three hours), animated satellite cloud
pictures, Limited Area Model (LAM) generated products and prognostic charts,
special weather warnings, tropical cyclone information and warnings, weekly and
monthly rainfall distribution maps, earthquake reports, etc.. This also
contains a lot of static information including temperature and rainfall normal
over the country and a brief overview of the activities and services rendered
by India Meteorological Department. This site can be accessed round the
clock with the URL: http://www.imd.ernet.in. and mirror website http://www.imd.gov.in. http://www.mausam.gov.in.
The Regional Meteorological Centers have also their own
websites.
4.2
Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS)
Popularly known as
“Weather on telephone”, the Interactive Voice Response System (IVRS) is
functioning with effect from July, 2000. One can access current weather
and forecast for major Indian cities by dialing Toll free number 1800 180
1717. this IVR facility has been
extended to 22 more stations (state capitals).
5.
Training
in Meteorological Telecommunication
5.1
A
Telecommunication Training Centre (TTC) was established in New Delhi in
September, 1977 for imparting training in Meteorological
Telecommunications. It is one of the international training centers in the
field of meteorological telecommunication recognized by the World
Meteorological Organization (WMO).
5.2
The Centre
conducts the following courses:
5.3
The center is
equipped with latest communication software and audio-visual aids. Ten
numbers of computer work stations have been installed for imparting training in
PC applications. A Weather Data Reception and Analysis System (WEDRAS) is also available
for imparting training on processing and analyzing the meteorological
information in the form of satellite imageries, raw data and charts.
5.4
The center has so far
imparted training to 1064 departmental personnel. It has also imparted
training to 88 foreign sponsored under various technical
cooperation program such as ITEC, SCAAP of Government of India, Colombo Plan,
UNDP and WMO.
6.
Future
Plan
The following up
gradation of the existing facilities are under implementation :-
2. Installation of a new AMSS at RMC
Nagpur and Guwahati.
3. To extend VPN network to Doppler radar stations.