A colonial-era rain gauge in Cuttack is set to be preserved as a key meteorological artefact, after which it will be kept either in a maritime museum or the upcoming collectorate complex in the city, authorities said.
District collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde said steps have been initiated to conserve and display the instrument. "This rain gauge is an important part of Cuttack’s historical and scientific legacy. We have identified a suitable place to preserve it so that researchers, students and the public, in general, can understand its significance," he said.
Earlier installed at the old Telegraph Office in Mangalabag, it is currently located within the premises of the Cuttack district collector’s residence.
Preservation push gains momentum
The push for its preservation gathered momentum after India Meteorological Department (IMD) director general Mrutyunjay Mohapatra inspected the gauge during his visit to Cuttack on Tuesday. Based on its design, structure and records, Mohapatra said the instrument is of British origin, and represents a significant chapter in Odisha’s meteorological history.
He noted that the devastating 1864 cyclone, which claimed nearly 80,000 lives, prompted the British administration to strengthen weather monitoring systems. As part of the effort, rain gauges were installed at five locations — Cuttack, Kolkata, Darjeeling, Chittagong (now in Bangladesh) and Myanmar — in 1865.
Historical significance
"The Cuttack rain gauge is among the surviving instruments from that period, and marks an important milestone in meteorological observations in eastern India," Mohapatra said, stressing the need to preserve it as a link to the evolution of weather science and disaster management.
Given Cuttack’s location in the Mahanadi basin, and its vulnerability to floods and cyclones, accurate rainfall measurement has historically been critical for disaster management and water planning.
This preservation effort highlights the importance of historical meteorological instruments in understanding climate patterns and improving future disaster preparedness. The rain gauge serves as a tangible reminder of the progress in weather science since the 19th century.
