Image Source: Social Media

In a groundbreaking move aimed at bolstering India's weather and climate forecasting capabilities, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has unveiled Mission Mausam, a monumental initiative backed by a budget outlay of ₹2,000 crores. Announced on September 11, 2024, the mission is set to be rolled out over the next two years and promises to transform India into a "Weather Ready" and "Climate Smart" nation by 2026.

The announcement was made during a national-level press interaction held at Prithvi Bhavan in New Delhi. The briefing was addressed by Dr. M Ravichandran, Secretary of MoES, Dr. Mritunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and Dr. V.S. Prasad, Head of the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).

Mission Mausam is designed to significantly enhance the country's weather and climate observations, understanding, and forecasting abilities. Its key objectives include the development of advanced weather surveillance technologies, implementation of next-generation radars and satellites, and the establishment of cutting-edge data assimilation methods.

Key Components of Mission Mausam:

1.  Deployment of 50 Doppler Weather Radars (DWR)

2.  Establishment of 60 Radio Sonde/Radio Wind (RS/RW) stations

3.  Installation of 100 disdrometers and 10 Wind Profilers

4.  Setting up of 25 radiometers and 1 Urban testbed

5.  Construction of 1 Process testbed, 1 Ocean Research station, and 10 Marine Automatic Weather Stations

Dr. Ravichandran emphasized the mission's potential to revolutionize weather forecasting in India. "Mission Mausam will not only enhance the spatial and temporal resolution of weather forecasts but also improve air quality data and enable more effective weather management strategies. By March 2026, we aim to expand our network of radars and profilers and further our understanding of weather processes through advanced AI/ML techniques,” he stated.

The initiative also includes a focus on developing improved earth system models and high-performance computing capabilities, as well as state-of-the-art dissemination systems to ensure last-mile connectivity. Capacity building will be a key component, with the mission promising to elevate the expertise and resources available to both citizens and stakeholders.

The primary institutions tasked with implementing Mission Mausam are IMD, NCMRWF, and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology. They will be supported by additional MoES institutions such as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services and the National Institute of Ocean Technology, alongside collaborations with national and international institutes, academia, and industry partners.