DAILY NEWS ANALYSIS

MISSION MAUSAM (Geography) GS-1 Prelims

Union Cabinet under the Modi Government 3.0 approved Mission Mausam, a landmark initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), with a budget of ?2,000 crores over two years. Designed to position India as a global leader in weather and climate sciences, the mission aims to make the nation ‘Weather Ready’ and ‘Climate Smart’, meeting the global standards.

Aim: to improve weather and climate services, ensuring timely and precise observation, modeling, and forecasting information for multiple sectors, including agriculture, disaster management, and rural development. Spearheaded by the Ministry through its premier institutions—the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)—the initiative is further supported by allied MoES bodies such as the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).

Through collaboration with national and international research institutions, academia, and industry, Mission Mausam aspires to revolutionize India's weather and climate services while cementing its global leadership in this critical field. The initiative leverages cutting-edge technology, including high-resolution models and supercomputing systems, to provide accurate forecasts on various timescales—ranging from short-term (hours) to seasonal predictions.

WHY IS MISSION MAUSAM NEEDED?

• Agrarian Economy: Climate change has caused erratic rainfall patterns, which have increased farmers' vulnerability. Accurate monsoon forecasts help optimise sowing periods, irrigation planning, and crop yield predictions.
• Disaster Preparedness: India faces frequent extreme weather events such as cyclones, floods, and droughts. Enhanced prediction capabilities can save lives and reduce economic losses.
• Rural Development: Improved weather services can support rural communities by aiding in water resource management, livestock protection, and infrastructure planning.

OBJECTIVES

The primary objectives of Mission Mausam are:

• To enhance India's capability in weather forecasting across various scales—short-term, medium-term, extended-range, and seasonal.
• To develop high-resolution models for improved accuracy in predicting monsoon behaviour.
• To strengthen observational networks with advanced radars, satellites, and automated weather stations.
• To provide actionable advisories for agriculture, water resources, energy, health, and disaster management sectors.
• To build capacity through research collaborations with national and international institutions.

IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY

Mission Mausam adopts a multi-pronged approach to achieve its objectives:

5. Infrastructure Development: Installation of Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs), Automatic Weather Stations (AWS), and rain gauges across the country.
5. Supercomputing Power: Leveraging high-performance computing systems like Pratyush and Mihir for advanced climate modelling.
5. Collaborative Research: Partnerships with global organizations like the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to enhance forecasting techniques.
5. Public Outreach: Dissemination of user-friendly advisories through mobile apps (e.g., Mausam app), SMS services, and media channels.

CURRENT STATUS

• Over 37 Doppler Weather Radars have been installed across India to strengthen real-time monitoring capabilities.
• The Mausam mobile app provides location-specific weather forecasts for 450 cities in India.
• Seasonal prediction models have shown significant improvement under the National Monsoon Mission framework.
• The Ministry has initiated specialised programs on urban flooding prediction and cyclone tracking.

FOCUSING ON THE NORTH-EAST REGION

The North-East region of India faces unique challenges due to its topography and climatic conditions:

• Frequent floods during monsoons disrupt livelihoods.
• Landslides triggered by heavy rainfall pose significant risks to infrastructure.

Mission Mausam prioritizes this region by:

• Deploying additional weather observation systems tailored to hilly terrains.
• Providing localized forecasts to mitigate the impact of extreme events.
• Collaborating with state governments to integrate weather data into disaster management plans.

Air Quality Management Exchange Platform

• It is a platform that provides the latest air quality management guidance and tools proposed to meet WHO Air Quality Guidelines interim targets.
• It was developed in response to a resolution passed at this year’s United Nations Environment Assembly to increase regional cooperation and action on improving air quality globally.
• Significance of the platform
  • It will help to address air quality management capacity gaps, notably with curated guidance across key themes, including on how to go about air quality monitoring, inventory development, and health impact assessments.
  • It will allow decision makers to see a more complete picture of air pollution’s impact and leading to policies that accurately reflect public health needs on a global scale.
  • The platform will expand to allow regional and sub-regional communities to exchange knowledge about air quality management best practices.

Key facts about Climate and Clean Air Coalition

• It was founded in 2012, and convened within the UN Environment Programme(UNEP).
• It is a voluntary partnership of more than 160 governments, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations.
• It works to reduce powerful but short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) – methane, black carbon, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and tropospheric ozone – that drive both climate change and air pollution.
• It aims to connect ambitious agenda setting with targeted mitigation action within countries and sectors.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)?

It is the leading environmental authority in the United Nations system. UNEP uses its expertise to strengthen environmental standards and practices while helping implement environmental obligations at the country, regional, and global levels.