IMD’S COLOUR CODES

IMD’S COLOUR CODES

Context:

Recently, amid heavy rainfall in Delhi-NCR, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued an orange alert for 3 hours in the region.

Significance of Color Codes:

• These are used in weather warnings to indicate the expected weather difficulties according to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD).
• The main purpose is to warn early disaster management officials and individuals to be prepared to take the necessary steps associated with disaster risk reduction.
• These warnings are universal and are issued even during floods, depending on the amount of water rising above the ground/river due to heavy rainfall.

IMD Uses 4 Color Codes:

• Green (All is well): No advice given.
• Yellow (Be Aware): Yellow indicates severe weather that lasts for a few days. It also suggests that the weather could change for the worse, disrupting daily activities.
• Orange / Amber (Be prepared): The orange warning is issued as an extreme weather warning with the potential for disruption of road and train closures, and disruptions to the power supply.
• Red (Take Action): When extreme weather conditions disrupt mobility and pose a serious health risk, a red warning is issued.