Context

• According to a 2021 study by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), around 40% of districts in India experience alternating climatic hazards, meaning that regions vulnerable to flooding during the monsoon are also at risk of droughts during the dry season.
• The Mission Mausam, a government initiative launched in 2024, aims to address these challenges by expanding India's weather observation capabilities, enhancing forecasting models, and investigating innovative approaches.
• Therefore, it is important to explore the importance of better forecasting systems and the role of Mission Mausam in mitigating the risks posed by extreme weather events.

The Need for Enhanced Weather Forecasting

• The increasing complexity of India’s weather patterns necessitates a robust forecasting
• While two-thirds of the population is exposed to flood risks, only a third of those residing in flood-prone areas are covered by early warning systems.
• In contrast, cyclone-prone regions benefit from more comprehensive early warning systems.
• This gap in coverage underscores the urgent need for technological investments and innovative solutions to provide timely and accurate forecasts for extreme weather events.
• Investing in improved forecasting is essential for safeguarding lives and property in the face of such unpredictable weather patterns.

Mission Mausam and its Objectives

• Mission Mausam
  • Mission Mausam is a strategic initiative by the Indian government aimed at significantly improving the country’s capacity to deal with the increasing challenges of climate change and extreme weather events.
  • The initiative focuses on three core objectives: expanding India's weather observation network, enhancing weather forecasting models, and investigating weather modification techniques.
  • These objectives are designed to address gaps in current weather monitoring capabilities and to provide more accurate, timely, and actionable weather data to help mitigate the effects of extreme weather.
• Expanding the Weather Observation Network
  • This includes the installation of additional Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs), wind profilers, radiometers, and automated weather stations.
  • Doppler Weather Radars are crucial for monitoring rainfall and forecasting short-term weather changes, particularly for tracking severe weather events like thunderstorms and cyclones.
  • These additional instruments will be deployed in strategic locations, including coastal areas prone to cyclones, urban centres facing recurrent flooding, and regions that currently have insufficient coverage.
  • By expanding the network of weather observation instruments, ‘Mission Mausam’ aims to provide more localised and accurate weather data, allowing for better short-term forecasts and real-time monitoring of extreme weather events.
• Enhancing Weather Forecasting Model
  • A major challenge in weather prediction is understanding the complex interactions within the atmosphere.
  • The mission aims to deepen the understanding of atmospheric physics through research and by leveraging advanced technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI).
  • Machine learning algorithms, for example, can analyse large datasets to identify patterns that might not be immediately evident using traditional forecasting methods.
  • Integrating these technologies with existing models can help to refine predictions, making them more precise and reliable.
  • Improved models can better capture the dynamic changes in weather systems, such as shifts in monsoon patterns or the intensification of cyclonic activities, which are increasingly influenced by climate change.
• Investigating Weather Modification Techniques
  • The third objective of ‘Mission Mausam’ involves exploring weather modification techniques, such as cloud seeding, to mitigate the effects of extreme weather.
  • Cloud seeding is a process where substances like silver iodide or salt are dispersed into the atmosphere to encourage rainfall.
  • This technique could be particularly beneficial in drought-prone areas or regions facing irregular rainfall patterns due to climate change.
  • While such methods are not new, ‘Mission Mausam’ emphasises a scientific approach to evaluating their effectiveness under India's specific climatic conditions.
  • By investing in research on weather modification, the mission aims to develop strategies that can be employed during emergencies, such as severe droughts, to alleviate water scarcity.

Implementation Roadmap of Mission Mausam: Key Phases and Expected Outcomes

• Collaboration and Resource Allocation
  • To implement these objectives, the mission allocates significant financial and technological resources, with a budget of ₹2,000 crore.
  • The funding supports the procurement of new equipment, the development of advanced forecasting systems, and the expansion of research facilities.
  • The collaboration between the IMD, NCMRWF, and IITM is central to achieving the mission's goals.
  • The IMD, being the primary weather forecasting agency, focuses on expanding observational networks and disseminating weather information to the public.
• Technological Integration for a Future-Ready Forecasting System
  • The mission aims to deploy machine-learning-based weather models that can process massive amounts of meteorological data to identify trends and make predictions with higher accuracy.
  • This includes utilising satellite data, radar readings, and real-time ground observations, all of which are processed through sophisticated algorithms.
  • The data is then integrated into predictive models that can simulate different climate scenarios, helping policymakers to plan for potential weather events well in advance.
  • This advanced forecasting system is intended to serve not only governmental agencies but also various sectors like agriculture, which heavily depends on accurate weather predictions for crop planning and yield optimisation.

Necessary Measures to Make Mission Mausam Effective

• Addressing Gaps in Radar Coverage
  • One of the key challenges in improving weather forecasting is the inadequate coverage of weather observation platforms, particularly along India’s western coast and in urban centres at high risk of flooding.
  • India currently operates 39 DWRs with the capacity to monitor rainfall within a 250-kilometer radius.
  • However, the distribution of these radars is uneven, with just five located on the west coast, despite the increasing frequency and intensity of cyclones in the Arabian Sea.
  • ‘Mission Mausam’ aims to address these gaps by prioritising the installation of additional radars in high-risk areas.
  • This will provide more accurate short-term forecasts, essential for managing extreme rainfall events and improving disaster preparedness.
• Promoting Open Access to Weather Data
  • Another important aspect of ‘Mission Mausam’ is the emphasis on making weather data openly accessible to researchers and entrepreneurs.
  • Open access to data fosters innovation by enabling the development of localised early warning tools and analytical solutions for extreme weather events.
  • For instance, the US, the UK, France, and the European Union have made their weather data available on cloud platforms, leading to the creation of tools that support local governance and disaster management.
  • In contrast, while the IMD offers data through its portal, access remains restricted, especially for academic institutions and think tanks.
  • By providing open access to data generated by new weather instruments and forecasting models, ‘Mission Mausam’ can facilitate greater transparency, innovation, and collaboration, ultimately strengthening India's ability to respond to climate risks.

 Conclusion

• Mission Mausam represents a timely and strategic initiative by the Indian government to bolster the country's ability to navigate the challenges posed by extreme weather.
• By expanding the weather observation network, improving forecasting models, and fostering open access to data, the mission can transform how weather information is collected, analysed, and disseminated.