India takes a giant leap in climate preparedness with the Union Cabinet’s approval of Mission Mausam, a Rs 2,000 crore initiative aimed at transforming the country into a ‘Weather Ready’ and ‘Climate Smart nation
In a significant move, the Union Cabinet has approved Mission Mausam, a comprehensive initiative designed to strengthen India’s weather and climate forecasting capabilities. With a budget of Rs 2,000 crores over two years, the mission aims to dramatically improve the nation’s ability to predict and respond to extreme weather events and climate-related challenges.
Mission Mausam’s primary goal is to enhance India’s weather surveillance, forecasting accuracy, and climate resilience. The initiative, running from 2024 to 2026, will utilise cutting-edge technology, including advanced weather radars, satellite systems, and high-performance computing. By deploying artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models, the programme aims to improve the precision and timeliness of weather predictions.
The government’s broader objective is to mitigate the impacts of climate change while strengthening community and infrastructural resilience to weather-related disasters.
The mission’s core focus includes the development of next-generation weather radars and satellites with sophisticated instrument payloads. It will also leverage AI/ML-driven prediction models, enhancing the quality of data for both short-term forecasts and long-term climate projections. Notable infrastructure upgrades include the deployment of 50 Doppler Weather Radars (DWR), 60 Radio Sonde/Radio Wind stations, and 100 disdrometers, among other equipment. Additionally, urban testbeds and ocean research stations will be established to further refine observations and forecasting.
Mission Mausam will not only improve forecasting capabilities but also focus on capacity building across key sectors, ensuring that communities are better equipped to face climate risks. Improved data dissemination will guarantee that no weather event goes undetected, offering significant economic and social benefits to sectors reliant on accurate weather and climate data.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology will spearhead the mission, ensuring the integration of expertise to achieve successful outcomes.
With Mission Mausam, India is set to become a global leader in climate preparedness, providing a robust framework for weather and climate resilience across the country.