Launch of Mission Mausam

Sub : Geo

Sec: Climatology

Context: India Meteorological Department (IMD), established in 1875 is completing 150 years of service in January 2025.

Mission Mausam Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 14 to make India weather-ready and climate-smart.

Objectives of Mission Mausam

Modernizing Weather Services:
- Upgrade forecasting, modelling, and dissemination capabilities.
- Enhance weather surveillance and accuracy.
Sectoral Benefits:
- Focus on agriculture, aviation, defence, disaster management, tourism, and health.
Budget: Allocated ₹2,000 crore for the first two years.

Key Features

Improvement in Forecasting:
- Enhance accuracy for events like heatwaves (currently 97.99% accurate) and heavy rainfall (currently 80% accurate).
Weather Event Management:
- Techniques to modify weather on demand (rainfall, hail, fog, and lightning suppression/enhancement).
Cloud Physics Research:
- New Cloud Chamber:
  - First-of-its-kind convective cloud chamber at IITM, Pune.
  - Studies seed particles forming clouds to improve weather modification.

Implementation and Oversight

Key Institutions:
- India Meteorological Department (IMD).
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
- National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Noida.
Ministry Involvement:
- Spearheaded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Significance

Builds on earlier missions like Mission Monsoon (2012), which improved long-range forecasting.
Strengthens disaster management and climate adaptation measures.
Positions India as a global leader in advanced meteorology and weather management technologies.