Making India a ‘Weather-Ready, Climate-Smart’ nation

Aimed at transforming the country into a “weather-ready and climate-smart” nation, the Indian government has launched the ambitious ‘Mission Mausam’ initiative, as per a DD News press release. The scheme, with a total outlay of Rs 20,000 million for the period 2024–2026, seeks to develop advanced weather surveillance technologies, strengthen forecasting capabilities, and improve last-mile dissemination systems. The budget allocation includes Rs 2580 million for the financial year 2024–25 and Rs 17420 million for 2025–26.

An Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB) report says that with its diverse geography and climate, India is heavily influenced by weather and monsoon patterns. Recognizing the critical need for accurate weather forecasting, especially in a country where agriculture is a primary livelihood, on September 11, 2024, the Indian Union Cabinet approved Mission Mausam, a landmark initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). 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.

Such a mission is required because of varied needs. India’s agrarian economy has faced erratic rainfall patterns caused due to climate change, which have increased farmers' vulnerability. Accurate monsoon forecasts will help optimise sowing periods, irrigation planning, and crop yield predictions. It will aid in disaster preparedness. India faces frequent extreme weather events such as cyclones, floods, and droughts. Enhanced prediction capabilities can save lives and reduce economic losses. It will also help rural development. Improved weather services can support rural communities by aiding in water resource management, livestock protection, and infrastructure planning.

The Mission aims to improve weather and climate services, ensuring timely and precise observation, modelling, and forecasting information for multiple sectors, including agriculture, disaster management, and rural development. Through collaboration with national and international research institutions, academia, and industry, it 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.

The PIB report adds that 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; and to build capacity through research collaborations with national and international institutions. Despite significant progress, Mission Mausam faces several challenges that include geographical diversity as India’s varied topography requires complex region-specific models to develop; climate change uncertainty as rapid changes in global climate patterns make long-term predictions more challenging; infrastructure gaps as remote areas still need more observational infrastructure like Doppler Weather Radars or Automatic Weather Stations; and awareness levels to ensure that farmers and rural communities effectively utilise forecast information remains a key hurdle.

The North-East region of India faces unique challenges due to its topography and climatic conditions frequent floods during monsoons disrupt livelihoods and landslides triggered by heavy rainfall that pose significant risks to infrastructure, the PIB report adds. Therefore, 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; and collaborating with state governments to integrate weather data into disaster management plans.

Mission Mausam, the report highlights, marks a transformative milestone in India’s efforts to address climate variability and its far-reaching socio-economic impacts. By enhancing forecasting capabilities and ensuring the dissemination of accurate and actionable information to stakeholders, it supports sustainable development while safeguarding lives, livelihoods, and critical infrastructure. The Mission’s implementation holds the potential to significantly bolster India’s resilience against climate-induced challenges such as extreme weather events and resource scarcity. As it progresses, the focus on integrating cutting-edge technology, fostering research collaborations and driving public awareness campaigns will ensure widespread adoption and impact. Mission Mausam is poised to not only mitigate risks but also unlock opportunities for climate-adaptive economic growth, playing a pivotal role in shaping a safer, more resilient, and prosperous future for India.