India Unveils Mission Mausam to Elevate Weather Forecasting and Combat Climate Change

The Union Cabinet has approved Mission Mausam to enhance India's ability to predict and respond to extreme weather events and climate change impacts. With a budget of Rs 2,000 crore over two years, the mission will be implemented by three key institutions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): the India Meteorological Department, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting.

Focus on Advanced Technologies

Mission Mausam will deploy next-generation radars and satellite systems with advanced sensors. High-performance supercomputers and enhanced Earth system models will also be developed. A GIS-based automated decision support system for real-time data sharing is another critical element. The Union Cabinet stated that these advancements would deliver highly accurate and timely weather and climate information across various scales.

Climate change is causing more extreme weather events like heavy rainfall, heatwaves, and cyclones. Experts note that these events are becoming harder to predict due to shifting atmospheric and oceanic patterns. According to the Centre for Science and Environment's State of Environment 2024 report, India experienced extreme weather events on 318 out of 365 days in 2023. All states and Union territories faced such events at least once.

Benefits Across Multiple Sectors

The mission aims to benefit sectors such as agriculture, disaster management, defence, aviation, energy, water resources, and tourism. It will also improve decision-making in urban planning, transportation, and environmental monitoring. The Union Cabinet highlighted that this initiative would significantly boost India's weather and climate-related science, research, and services.

A survey by the Forum of Enterprises for Equitable Development (FEED) and the Development Intelligence Unit (DIU) found that 80 per cent of marginal farmers in India have suffered crop losses due to extreme weather events over the past five years. These findings underscore the urgent need for improved weather prediction capabilities.

Enhancing Research and Development

India will expand research and development in atmospheric sciences as part of Mission Mausam. This includes advancements in weather surveillance, modelling, forecasting, and management. By integrating advanced observation systems with high-performance computing and technologies like artificial intelligence and machine learning, Mission Mausam aims to set a new benchmark for precise weather prediction.

The mission will focus on improving observations to provide accurate information on monsoon patterns, air quality, extreme weather events, cyclones, and interventions for managing fog, hail, and rain. Supporting institutions include the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, and the National Institute of Ocean Technology.

The programme aims to equip stakeholders—including citizens—with better tools to tackle extreme weather events and climate change impacts. It will help build capacity and resilience across communities, sectors, and ecosystems over time. The Union Cabinet emphasised that this multi-faceted initiative would transform India's approach to weather-related challenges.

In 2023 alone, extreme weather events resulted in 3,287 human deaths, the loss of 1.24 lakh animals, and damage to 2.21 million hectares of crop area. These statistics highlight the critical need for initiatives like Mission Mausam to mitigate such impacts effectively.

By focusing on advanced technologies and expanding research capabilities, Mission Mausam aims to enhance India's resilience against climate change. The mission's comprehensive approach promises significant improvements in predicting and managing extreme weather events.

The Union Cabinet's approval of Mission Mausam marks a significant step towards strengthening India's ability to handle climate-related challenges effectively.