Mission Mausam Weather Forecasting Enhancement Initiative
The Ministry of Earth Sciences launched Mission Mausam on January 14, 2025, with the goal of making India a 'Weather-ready and Climate-smart' nation. The mission aims to strengthen Earth System observations and provide seamless weather and climate services through an early warning system. Key objectives include developing cutting-edge weather surveillance technologies, implementing higher-resolution atmospheric observations, deploying next-generation radars and satellites, implementing advanced high-performance computing systems, enhancing weather prediction capabilities, developing Earth system models with AI/ML, creating weather management technologies, establishing a Decision Support System, and strengthening capacity building.
Current Observational and Modeling Capabilities
India Meteorological Department (IMD) currently receives data from 50 Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs) operated by IMD and other MoES institutions and ISRO. The network is being strengthened with 29 C-Band DWRs, 45 X-Band DWRs, and 12 S-Band DWRs across the country. Maharashtra currently has 9 operational DWRs located in Mumbai (S-Band), Nagpur (S-Band), Solapur (C-Band), Veravali (C-Band), Mumbai-Juhu (X-Band), Mumbai-Panvel (X-Band), Mumbai-Vasai-Virar (X-Band), Mahabaleshwar (X-Band), and Mumbai-Kalyan-Dombivali (X-Band).
Numerical Weather Prediction modeling systems include global forecast systems (GFS) of IMD and Mithuna modeling systems of NCMRWF, both running at 12 km resolution. The New Bharat Forecasting System (BharatFS) operates at 6 km resolution for block and panchayat levels. Computing facilities have been substantially enhanced with the "Arunika" supercomputing system at NCMRWF, Noida, and the "Arka" system at IITM, Pune.
Disaster Early Warning Systems and Citizen Services
The Ministry has achieved a 40% improvement in forecast accuracy for all severe weather events in recent decades compared to the previous decade. Impact-based forecasts and risk-based warnings are disseminated at district level. The "Mausamgram" platform provides location-specific hyperlocal weather forecasts down to village level, offering hourly forecasts for 36 hours, three-hourly for 5 days, and six-hourly for up to 10 days, accessible by PIN code or location selection.
IMD developed climate hazard and vulnerability maps at district level and geospatial services for weather forecasts. The department generates Common Alert Protocol (CAP) alerts disseminated through SMS and SACHET app, with API integration used by Apple, Google, and GMAS. Mobile apps include MAUSAM for weather forecasting, MEGHDOOT for agro met services, DAMINI for lightning warnings, and UMANG for weather forecasting.
Last-Mile Dissemination and Agricultural Integration
In collaboration with Ministry of Panchayati Raj, IMD developed the Panchayat Mausam Seva Portal providing Panchayat-level forecasts through e-GramSwaraj, Meri Panchayat App, e-Manchitra, and Mausamgram. Mobile numbers of Panchayat Members, Ward Members, and Panchayat Secretaries are integrated for WhatsApp dissemination. IMD leverages Krishi Sakhis and Pashu Sakhis network of Ministry of Rural Development for last-mile dissemination.
The department has organized 7,300 Farmers' Awareness Programs across 373 districts, benefiting approximately 367,000 farmers, including 83 Aspirational Districts. Under Mission Mausam, IMD developed KALP (Krishi Advisory based on Location-specific Weather Prediction) for location-, crop- and crop-stage-specific advisories and Mausam SANKALP (Systematic Agrometeorological aNalytics, Knowledge and Advisory enabLing Platform) for weather analytics and climate-resilient agricultural planning.
Timely alerts are transmitted to Ministry of Home Affairs, NDMA, State Disaster Management Authorities, District Magistrates, health departments, and public utility sectors. A direct real-time coordination mechanism is maintained with District Collectors, SDMAs, Department of Agriculture, and other local stakeholders.