Department of Meteorology and Hydrology DMH Myanmar

History and Founding

Myanmar's meteorological services have their institutional roots in the Burma Meteorological Department (BMD), established on 1 April 1937 as an independent department. Myanmar (then Burma) became a member of the International Meteorological Organization (IMO) in January 1938. The BMD was reorganised on 23 October 1972 and formally renamed the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) in 1974. Myanmar's daily weather reports have been issued since 1 June 1947. The department has operated under various ministries, including the Ministry of Transport and Communication and the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs, and is currently under the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

Collections and Holdings

The DMH maintains extensive meteorological, hydrological, and seismological records for Myanmar. Divisions include Meteorology, Hydrology, Seismology, Upper Myanmar, Lower Myanmar, Agro-Meteorology, Aviation Meteorology, and Engineering. The department operates a Multi-Hazard Early Warning Center and maintains historical climate data accessible through the Myanmar Climate Data Portal, developed in collaboration with the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center (ADPC).

Access and Usage

Meteorological data, forecasts, bulletins, and climate records are available via the department's official website and the Myanmar Climate Data Portal. The portal provides access to climate scenarios, rainfall records, water level data, and historical weather data.

Objectives

The DMH aims to take precautionary measures against natural disasters, promote safety in transportation, support sustainable development of natural resources, and undertake international collaboration. It issues daily, monthly, and seasonal weather forecasts as well as cyclone, flood, storm surge, and tsunami warnings.