MISSION MAUSAM
MISSION MAUSAM
INTRODUCTION
With its diverse geography and climate, India is heavily influenced by weather and monsoon patterns. Recognizing the critical need for accurate weather forecasting, especially in a country where agriculture is a primary livelihood, on September 11, 2024, the Union Cabinet under the Modi Government 3.0 approved Mission Mausam, a landmark initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), with a budget of ₹2,000 crores over two years. Designed to position India as a global leader in weather and climate sciences, the mission aims to make the nation ‘Weather Ready’ and ‘Climate Smart’, meeting the global standards.
It aims to improve weather and climate services, ensuring timely and precise observation, modeling, and forecasting information for multiple sectors, including agriculture, disaster management, and rural development. Spearheaded by the Ministry through its premier institutions—the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)—the initiative is further supported by allied MoES bodies such as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
Through collaboration with national and international research institutions, academia, and industry, Mission Mausam aspires to revolutionize India’s weather and climate services while cementing its global leadership in this critical field. The initiative leverages cutting-edge technology, including high-resolution models and supercomputing systems, to provide accurate forecasts on various timescales—ranging from short-term (hours) to seasonal predictions.
WHY IS MISSION MAUSAM NEEDED?
OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives of Mission Mausam are:
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY
Mission Mausam adopts a multi-pronged approach to achieve its objectives:
CURRENT STATUS
FOCUSING ON THE NORTH-EAST REGION
The North-East region of India faces unique challenges due to its topography and climatic conditions:
Mission Mausam prioritizes this region by:
CHALLENGES
Despite significant progress, Mission Mausam faces several challenges:
CONCLUSION
Mission Mausam marks a transformative milestone in India’s efforts to address climate variability and its far-reaching socio-economic impacts. By enhancing forecasting capabilities and ensuring the dissemination of accurate and actionable information to stakeholders, the mission supports sustainable development while safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. Its implementation, particularly in vulnerable regions like the Northeast, holds the potential to significantly bolster India’s resilience against climate-induced challenges such as extreme weather events and resource scarcity.
As the mission progresses, its focus on integrating cutting-edge technology, fostering research collaborations, and driving public awareness campaigns will ensure widespread adoption and impact. Mission Mausam is poised to not only mitigate risks but also unlock opportunities for climate-adaptive economic growth, playing a pivotal role in shaping a safer, more resilient, and prosperous future for India.
References
- Infrastructure Development: Installation of Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs), Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), and rain gauges across the country.
- Supercomputing Power: Leveraging high-performance computing systems like Pratyush and Mihir for advanced climate modelling.
- Collaborative Research: Partnerships with global organizations like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to enhance forecasting techniques.
- Public Outreach: Dissemination of user-friendly advisories through mobile apps (e.g., Mausam app), SMS services, and media channels.