Enhancing Weather Forecasting and Management: Mission Mausam

Enhancing Weather Forecasting and Management: Mission Mausam

Sub: Geo

Sec: Climatology 

Why in the News

On September 11, the Indian Cabinet approved a ₹2,000 crore initiative called Mission Mausam aimed at revolutionizing weather forecasting and management. This program seeks to upgrade the infrastructure for atmospheric observations, improving the accuracy of weather predictions and enhancing the response to extreme weather events.

Objectives of Mission Mausam

Enhanced Atmospheric Observations

Upgrade and deploy ‘next-generation radars’ and satellite systems.

Incorporate advanced sensors and high-performance supercomputers.

Develop improved earth-system models and a GIS-based automated Decision Support System.

Improved Forecasts and Alerts

Better quality monsoon forecasts.

Enhanced alerts for deteriorating air quality.

Advanced warnings for extreme weather events and cyclones.

Implementation and Infrastructure

The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) is the nodal agency.

Procurement and installation plans until 2026 include: 60 weather radars, 15 wind profilers and 15 radiosondes. These instruments will monitor wind speeds, atmospheric pressure, humidity, and temperature.

About Next-Generation Radars: Next-generation radars represent a significant advancement in radar technology, designed to enhance the accuracy, resolution, and reliability of weather observations.

Advanced Technology and Sensors

Doppler Radar Technology: Utilizes the Doppler effect to measure the velocity of precipitation, which helps in determining wind speed and direction within a storm.

Dual-Polarization: Offers enhanced detection of precipitation types and sizes by transmitting and receiving radar signals in both horizontal and vertical polarizations.

High-Resolution Imaging: Provides more detailed and accurate images of weather phenomena, including precipitation intensity and storm structure.

About Radiosondes: Radiosondes are integral instruments used in meteorology to collect and transmit atmospheric data from various elevations. They are crucial for understanding vertical profiles of the atmosphere, which helps in weather forecasting and climate research.

Structure and Function

Design: A radiosonde is a small, lightweight device attached to a weather balloon. It typically consists of sensors, a transmitter, and a power source.

Sensors: Measure various atmospheric parameters including temperature, humidity, and pressure.

Transmission: Sends real-time data back to ground-based receiving stations as the balloon ascends through the atmosphere.

Types of Measurements

Temperature: Monitors air temperature at different altitudes.

Humidity: Measures the relative humidity of the air, providing insights into moisture content.

Pressure: Records atmospheric pressure changes with altitude.

Wind Speed and Direction: Can be derived from tracking the radiosonde’s ascent path and the balloon’s drift.

Predecessor- Monsoon Mission (2012): Relied on statistical methods for forecasting. Provided broad estimates but lacked precision for droughts and regional diversity.

Introduced high-performance computing and dynamical models for better accuracy in medium-range forecasts.

Advancements in Weather Management: Focus on weather modification through cloud seeding to influence precipitation.

Plans to control lightning to reduce fatalities: Lightning is a major cause of natural deaths in India, with 2,821 out of 8,060 accidental deaths in 2022 due to lightning (NCRB report).

Establishment of a large ‘cloud chamber’ at IITM for simulating cloud interiors.