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?

 

• Agrarian Economy: Climate change has caused erratic rainfall patterns, which have increased farmers' vulnerability. Accurate monsoon forecasts help optimise sowing periods, irrigation planning, and crop yield predictions.
• Disaster Preparedness: India faces frequent extreme weather events such as cyclones, floods, and droughts. Enhanced prediction capabilities can save lives and reduce economic losses.
• Rural Development: Improved weather services can support rural communities by aiding in water resource management, livestock protection, and infrastructure planning.

 

OBJECTIVES

 

The primary objectives of Mission Mausam are:

 

• To enhance India's capability in weather forecasting across various scales—short-term, medium-term, extended-range, and seasonal.
• To develop high-resolution models for improved accuracy in predicting monsoon behaviour.
• To strengthen observational networks with advanced radars, satellites, and automated weather stations.
• To provide actionable advisories for agriculture, water resources, energy, health, and disaster management sectors.
• To build capacity through research collaborations with national and international institutions.

 

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

 

Mission Mausam adopts a multi-pronged approach to achieve its objectives:

5. Infrastructure Development: Installation of Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs), Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), and rain gauges across the country.
5. Supercomputing Power: Leveraging high-performance computing systems like Pratyush and Mihir for advanced climate modelling.
5. Collaborative Research: Partnerships with global organizations like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to enhance forecasting techniques.
5. Public Outreach: Dissemination of user-friendly advisories through mobile apps (e.g., Mausam app), SMS services, and media channels.

 

CURRENT STATUS

• Over 37 Doppler Weather Radars have been installed across India to strengthen real-time monitoring capabilities.
• The Mausam mobile app provides location-specific weather forecasts for 450 cities in India.
• Seasonal prediction models have shown significant improvement under the National Monsoon Mission framework.
• The Ministry has initiated specialised programs on urban flooding prediction and cyclone tracking.

 

FOCUSING ON THE NORTH-EAST REGION

The North-East region of India faces unique challenges due to its topography and climatic conditions:

• Frequent floods during monsoons disrupt livelihoods.
• Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall pose significant risks to infrastructure.

Mission Mausam prioritizes this region by:

• Deploying additional weather observation systems tailored to hilly terrains.
• Providing localized forecasts to mitigate the impact of extreme events.
• Collaborating with state governments to integrate weather data into disaster management plans.

 

CHALLENGES

 

Despite significant progress, Mission Mausam faces several challenges:

1. Geographical Diversity: India's varied topography requires complex region-specific models to develop.
2. Climate Change Uncertainty: Rapid changes in global climate patterns make long-term predictions more challenging.
3. Infrastructure Gaps: Remote areas still need more observational infrastructure like radars or AWS.
4. Awareness Levels: Ensuring farmers and rural communities effectively utilise forecast information remains a key hurdle.

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

• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2085678
• https://www.moes.gov.in/programmes/monsoon-mission-india?language_content_entity=en
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2085676
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2054427&reg=3&lang=1
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2067907&reg=3&lang=1
• https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2080593&reg=3&lang=1

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Santosh Kumar/Sheetal Angral/Vatsla Srivastava

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