Mission Mausam is a significant initiative launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences in 2024, with the aim of revolutionizing weather forecasting and improving the country’s response to climate variability. The latest development under this mission is the installation of four additional radars in Jammu & Kashmir by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), which will enable more accurate, district-wise weather forecasts for the region.

Mission Mausam Overview:

• Launched by: Ministry of Earth Sciences (2024)

• Implemented by:

  • India Meteorological Department (IMD)

  • National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF)

  • Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)

Objectives of Mission Mausam:

1. Enhanced Forecasting Capability: The mission aims to improve India’s ability to forecast weather across various timeframes—short-term, medium-term, extended-range, and seasonal. This will help in providing more accurate weather predictions, especially for regions that are more vulnerable to extreme weather events.

2. Monsoon Prediction: A key focus is developing high-resolution models to predict the behavior of the monsoon more accurately. India heavily depends on the monsoon for agriculture, and precise forecasting can help mitigate risks associated with floods or droughts.

3. Strengthening Observational Networks: The mission emphasizes expanding India’s observational networks with cutting-edge radars, satellites, and automated weather stations. The new radars in Jammu & Kashmir will be part of this initiative, helping to provide better local-level weather data.

4. Sector-Specific Advisories: The mission will provide actionable advisories to various sectors, including:

   • Agriculture: For better crop management based on weather patterns.

   • Water Resources: For managing water resources more effectively, particularly in times of floods or droughts.

   • Energy: For power generation planning based on weather conditions, particularly for renewables like solar and wind energy.

   • Health: To manage the impact of weather on public health, especially during extreme temperatures or monsoon outbreaks.

   • Disaster Management: To improve preparedness and response for natural disasters like floods, storms, and heatwaves.

5. Capacity Building: The mission aims to build research collaborations with both national and international institutions, fostering knowledge exchange and enhancing India’s capabilities in climate research.

Significance of Mission Mausam:

• Climate Adaptation: Mission Mausam is a response to climate variability, which is increasingly affecting India’s socio-economic sectors, particularly agriculture, infrastructure, and public health. With precise forecasting tools, India can better prepare for and adapt to these changes.

• Disaster Risk Reduction: Accurate weather forecasts are essential for improving disaster management. Early warnings can save lives, protect infrastructure, and help in the management of natural disasters.

• Sustainable Development: By addressing the challenges posed by climate change, Mission Mausam supports sustainable development while safeguarding critical sectors, like agriculture and infrastructure.

• Economic Impact: Given the growing reliance on weather-sensitive sectors such as agriculture and energy, improved weather predictions can lead to better decision-making, reducing economic losses caused by weather extremes.

Jammu & Kashmir’s Significance in Mission Mausam:

The decision to add four additional radars in Jammu & Kashmir highlights the strategic importance of accurate weather forecasting in the region. Jammu & Kashmir, with its unique terrain and vulnerability to weather extremes like heavy snowfall, flooding, and landslides, will benefit greatly from localized weather data. Such precision in forecasting will assist in:

• Improving the safety of local populations, especially in mountainous areas prone to natural disasters.

• Enhancing agriculture forecasts in the region, where farming is heavily dependent on seasonal weather patterns.

Conclusion:

Mission Mausam is a game-changer for India's ability to predict and respond to weather events. By upgrading technology and expanding networks, it provides a comprehensive approach to addressing climate challenges. The addition of advanced weather radar systems in Jammu & Kashmir is just one step in a larger strategy to safeguard lives, protect critical infrastructure, and ensure sustainable development across India.

MISSION MAUSAM (Geography) GS-1 Prelims

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.

Aim: 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.