Mrutyunjay Mohapatra appointed as chief of India Meteorological Department

New Delhi: Eminent scientist Mrutyunjay Mohapatra was on Tuesday appointed as the chief of India Meteorological Department (IMD), an order issued by the Personnel Ministry said.

Mohapatra, who is Scientist ‘G’ in the IMD, has been appointed as Director General of Meteorology, IMD for a period of five years, it said.

He will assume charge of the post on or after August 1, 2019, the order said.

Born in Odisha on 12 August 1995, Mohapatra joined IMD in 1992 and was working in Odisha when the Super Cyclone of 1999 struck the coast killing more than 15,000 people.

Mohapatra is affectionately known as ‘cyclone man of India’ for having accurately predicted the path of ferocious cyclonic storms many times.

The scientist has received many national and international awards including the Young Scientist Award of Ministry of Earth Sciences and Achievers Award from the IMD for his research and service in the field of atmospheric sciences.

The IMD is responsible for weather and climate-related forecasts for the country.

It is also mandated to warn against severe weather phenomenon like cyclones, dust storms, heavy rain and snow, cold and heat waves, among others.