| GS Paper 3: Science and Technology |
Why in the News?
The Union Cabinet has approved a mission to enhance the capabilities of India’s weather department in forecasting, modelling, and dissemination.
Mission Mausam will be allocated a budget of ₹2,000 crore for its first two years.
What’s in Today’s Article?
- About Mission Mausam
- Objectives
- Key Focus Areas
- Institutions Involved
- Benefits
- Conclusion
About Mission Mausam:
- The Union Cabinet, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the ambitious Mission Mausam, with a budget of ₹2,000 crore for two years.
- Spearheaded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), this initiative aims to transform India’s weather and climate science capabilities, including research and services.
Objectives of Mission Mausam:
- The primary goals of the mission are:
- Enhancing Weather Prediction Accuracy: Utilizing advanced technologies to deliver highly accurate and timely weather and climate forecasts.
- Building Climate Resilience: Equipping stakeholders, including citizens and last-mile users, to effectively manage extreme weather events and the effects of climate change.
- Expanding Capacity in Weather Sciences: Advancing India’s expertise in atmospheric sciences through research and development, focusing on weather modeling, forecasting, and surveillance.
Key Focus Areas:
- Mission Mausam will concentrate on several crucial aspects that affect India’s economy and public safety:
- Monsoon Forecasts: Improved predictions for the monsoon season, vital for agriculture and water resource management.
- Air Quality Alerts: Accurate forecasts to assist in managing air pollution.
- Extreme Weather Events: Timely alerts for cyclones, floods, and other severe weather conditions.
- Weather Interventions: Methods to manage fog, hail, and rain, aiming to reduce disruptions in daily life and business activities.
Technological Advancements Under Mission Mausam:
- Mission Mausam will utilize state-of-the-art technologies to enhance India’s weather forecasting capabilities:
- Advanced Observation Systems: The mission will implement next-generation radars, satellite systems, and sensors to collect real-time data.
- High-Performance Computing: Supercomputers will be integrated to efficiently process large volumes of data.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML): AI and ML technologies will be employed to improve the accuracy of weather predictions.
- Earth System Models: Enhanced models will be used to forecast various weather conditions, including monsoon patterns, cyclones, and extreme weather events.
- GIS-Based Automated Decision Support Systems: These systems will enable real-time data dissemination and alerts.
Sectors Benefiting from Mission Mausam:
- The mission will positively impact various sectors across India, including:
- Agriculture: Enhanced weather forecasts will assist farmers in planning crop cycles and minimizing losses from unpredictable weather.
- Disaster Management: Early warnings and precise predictions will improve disaster preparedness and mitigate the effects of natural calamities.
- Defense and Aviation: Real-time weather data will support defense and aviation operations, ensuring safer travel and military activities.
- Environment and Health: Improved environmental monitoring will promote sustainable development, and better air quality forecasts will safeguard public health.
- Transport and Energy: Weather forecasts will support urban planning, road transport, offshore operations, and energy production, particularly in renewable sectors such as wind and solar power.
Implementing Institutions:
- Mission Mausam will be led by three primary institutions under the Ministry of Earth Sciences:
- India Meteorological Department (IMD): Responsible for daily weather forecasts and warnings.
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM): Focuses on research related to tropical weather and climate.
- National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF): Specializes in medium-range weather forecasting.
- These institutions will receive support from additional MoES bodies, including the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
Conclusion:
Mission Mausam represents a significant advancement in bolstering India’s weather and climate resilience. By leveraging advanced technology and international partnerships, it aims to improve the country’s capacity to handle extreme weather events and position India as a global leader in climate science.
This initiative will benefit multiple sectors of the Indian economy by providing more accurate and reliable weather data, thus facilitating better decision-making and planning for a sustainable future.
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