What is Mission Mausam?

In January 2025, India celebrated the 150th anniversary of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). To mark this milestone, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Mission Mausam. This initiative aims to enhance India’s capabilities in meteorology. It focuses on improving weather forecasting and modelling to better manage natural disasters and climate challenges.

Objectives of Mission Mausam

Mission Mausam seeks to upgrade the IMD’s forecasting and modelling capabilities. The primary goal is to make India ‘weather ready’ and ‘climate smart’. The mission has a budget of ₹2,000 crore for its initial two years. It will benefit various sectors, including agriculture, aviation, defence, disaster management, tourism, and health.

Key Features of Mission Mausam

The mission aims to improve weather surveillance and forecasting accuracy. Currently, the IMD has a high accuracy rate for predicting heatwaves but a lower rate for heavy rainfall. Mission Mausam intends to address these discrepancies and enhance overall forecasting reliability.

Weather Modification Techniques

An innovative aspect of Mission Mausam is its focus on weather modification. The initiative will explore ways to manage weather events by enhancing or suppressing rainfall, hail, fog, and lightning. This requires advanced research in cloud physics, which is essential for effective weather modification.

Establishment of Cloud Chambers

As part of Mission Mausam, a state-of-the-art cloud chamber will be established at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology in Pune. This facility will allow scientists to study cloud formation under controlled conditions. It aims to understand the seed particles that lead to cloud droplet or ice particle formation. India’s cloud chamber will be unique due to its convection properties, facilitating studies specific to Indian monsoon clouds.

Institutional Oversight

Mission Mausam will be overseen by three key institutions. These include the IMD, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting. All institutions are funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Their collaboration will ensure the mission’s objectives are met effectively.

Expected Impact of Mission Mausam

The mission is expected to improve disaster management capabilities in India. By enhancing meteorological services, it aims to reduce the impact of natural disasters. Improved forecasting will support various sectors, making them more resilient to climate variability.

Future Prospects

With the implementation of Mission Mausam, India aims to position itself as a leader in meteorological science. The initiative not only focuses on immediate weather prediction but also on long-term climate resilience. It reflects India’s commitment to addressing climate change challenges through scientific advancements.

Questions for UPSC:

1. Critically analyse the significance of meteorological advancements in disaster management strategies in India.
2. What are the challenges faced by India in improving weather forecasting accuracy? Explain with suitable examples.
3. What is the role of cloud physics in weather modification? Comment on its importance for Mission Mausam.
4. Explain the impact of climate change on monsoon patterns in India. How can improved forecasting help mitigate these effects?

Answer Hints:

1. Critically analyse the significance of meteorological advancements in disaster management strategies in India.

1. Meteorological advancements enhance early warning systems, allowing timely evacuation and preparedness.
2. Improved forecasting reduces economic losses by informing sectors like agriculture and infrastructure.
3. Accurate weather predictions support emergency services in resource allocation during disasters.
4. Enhanced data collection and analysis facilitate better understanding of climate patterns and risks.
5. Integration of technology, such as satellite imagery, improves the precision of meteorological data.

2. What are the challenges faced by India in improving weather forecasting accuracy? Explain with suitable examples.

1. Geographical diversity makes it difficult to create uniform forecasting models across regions.
2. Limited historical data for certain extreme weather events hampers predictive capabilities.
3. Inadequate technology and infrastructure in rural areas affect data collection and dissemination.
4. Forecasting for complex phenomena like monsoons is challenging due to their variability.
5. Budget constraints can limit research and development in advanced meteorological techniques.

3. What is the role of cloud physics in weather modification? Comment on its importance for Mission Mausam.

1. Cloud physics studies the formation and behavior of clouds, crucial for understanding precipitation processes.
2. It enables the development of techniques to enhance rainfall or suppress unwanted weather events.
3. Research in cloud physics supports the establishment of effective weather modification protocols.
4. About cloud dynamics is essential for improving monsoon predictions and management.
5. Mission Mausam’s focus on cloud chambers will advance research and innovation in this field.

4. Explain the impact of climate change on monsoon patterns in India. How can improved forecasting help mitigate these effects?

1. Climate change leads to irregular monsoon patterns, causing extreme rainfall and droughts.
2. Shifts in monsoon timing affect agricultural productivity and food security in India.
3. Improved forecasting can provide timely alerts, allowing farmers to adapt to changing conditions.
4. Accurate predictions help in water resource management, reducing the risk of floods and shortages.
5. Enhanced meteorological data supports policy-making for climate resilience and disaster preparedness.