New Delhi: In a landmark move, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the launch of Mission Mausam, a comprehensive initiative with an outlay of ₹2,000 crore over two years. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, this mission aims to revolutionize India’s weather and climate science, research, and services, significantly enhancing the nation’s ability to predict, manage, and respond to extreme weather events and climate change.
Mission Mausam is envisioned as a transformative program that will broaden India’s research capacity in atmospheric sciences. By integrating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and high-performance computing, the mission will set new benchmarks in weather forecasting and climate modeling. The initiative also aims to strengthen weather surveillance and develop advanced systems for weather prediction and management.
One of the key objectives of Mission Mausam is to improve the accuracy and timeliness of weather information across various timeframes and locations. This includes better monsoon forecasts, air quality alerts, extreme weather warnings, and cyclone tracking. The mission will also focus on weather interventions to manage fog, hail, and rain, among other phenomena. To achieve this, the mission will deploy next-generation radars, satellite systems with advanced sensors, and supercomputers for high-precision weather monitoring.
A vital component of the initiative is the development of Earth system models and a GIS-based automated Decision Support System, which will allow for real-time data dissemination. These advancements will help citizens and stakeholders, including farmers, disaster management authorities, and industry leaders, to make informed, data-driven decisions.
Mission Mausam will have a wide-reaching impact across various sectors, including agriculture, disaster management, defence, environment, aviation, water resources, energy, and health. The enhanced forecasting capabilities will also benefit urban planning, transportation, tourism, shipping, and offshore operations.
The mission will be implemented by three key institutions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences: the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF). They will be supported by other national bodies such as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT). Collaboration with international research institutions, academia, and industry will further bolster India’s leadership in weather and climate sciences.