India Aims to Become a Weather-Resilient Nation with Advanced Climate Forecasting Capabilities

Strategic Insights -

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, has been a key player in the country's weather forecasting, disaster preparedness, and climate monitoring efforts since 1875. With a legacy of accurate monsoon predictions, the IMD has achieved 100% accuracy in forecasting all-India southwest monsoon rainfall within the permissible margin of error from 2021 to 2024. The department has also made major strides in cyclone forecasting, accurately predicting cyclones like Fani, Amphan, Tauktae, and Biparjoy, which has helped reduce cyclone-related fatalities from 10,000 in 1999 to zero between 2020 and 2024. To further modernize India's climate forecast infrastructure, the government launched Mission Mausam in September 2024, a Central Sector Scheme aimed at making Bharat a "weather-ready and climate-smart" nation by improving forecasting capabilities and disaster response.

Key Takeaways:

  • The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has a legacy of accurate monsoon predictions, with 100% accuracy in forecasting all-India southwest monsoon rainfall within the permissible margin of error from 2021 to 2024.
  • The IMD has expanded its Doppler Weather Radar network from 15 in 2014 to 39 in 2023, enhancing real-time monitoring by 35%.
  • The launch of Mausamgram in January 2024 offers localized forecasts to users across India, and the High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model and the Electric Weather Research and Forecasting (EWRF) model are being used for real-time rainfall and lightning forecasts.
  • Mission Mausam, launched in September 2024, is a Central Sector Scheme that aims to make Bharat a "weather-ready and climate-smart" nation by improving forecasting capabilities and disaster response, and utilizes advanced tools like AI, high-resolution weather radars, better satellite instruments, and powerful computing systems.
  • The scheme is structured around nine verticals, including real-time data collection, air quality tools, early warning systems, and public communication strategies.
  • The initial phase of Mission Mausam will be implemented from 2024 to 2026, with a second phase from 2026 to 2031.

Statistics:

  • The IMD expanded its Doppler Weather Radar network from 15 in 2014 to 39 in 2023, enhancing real-time monitoring by 35%.
  • The IMD has achieved 100% accuracy in forecasting all-India southwest monsoon rainfall within the permissible margin of error from 2021 to 2024.
  • Cyclone-related fatalities have decreased from 10,000 in 1999 to zero between 2020 and 2024.

Sources:

  • Government of India (2024)
  • Government of India (2024)