India’s recent monsoon challenges and Mission Mausam

Source: The post India’s recent monsoon challenges and Mission Mausam has been created, based on the article “Forecasting better in India, come rain or shine” published in “The Hindu” on 19th October 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3 – Disasters and disaster management and GS 3-Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life

Context: The article discusses India’s recent monsoon challenges, including severe flooding and changing weather patterns. It highlights the need for better weather forecasting and early warning systems. The government’s ‘Mission Mausam’ aims to enhance weather observation, improve forecasting, and make data accessible for public use.

For detailed information on Weather Forecasting in India read this article here

What are the current weather challenges in India?

1. India is experiencing severe monsoon seasons with recurrent flooding affecting many states.
   2. According to a 2021 study by the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW), about 40% of Indian districts face alternating climate hazards.
2. Flood-prone areas also experience droughts in the dry season. Over the past decade, heavy rainfall days during the monsoons have increased by 64%.
3. Nearly two-thirds of India’s population are exposed to flood risks, but only one-third of the flood-prone areas are covered by early warning systems.

What is ‘Mission Mausam’ and its objectives?

1. Mission Mausam was approved in September 2024 to improve India’s weather forecasting capabilities.
2. The mission has a budget of ₹2,000 crore and aims to strengthen India’s weather observation network.
3. It will be implemented by three key institutes under the Ministry of Earth Sciences: the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM).

For detailed information on India’s Mission Mausam read this article here

What more needs to be done to improve India’s weather forecasting capabilities?

1. Expand radar coverage: India has 39 Doppler Weather Radars, but only five cover the west coast where cyclones are increasing. Cities like Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, and Jodhpur need radar coverage to manage frequent flooding.
2. Open access to weather data: The United States and European countries provide weather data openly, encouraging innovation. India should follow this model to help researchers and entrepreneurs develop localized early warning tools.
3. Improve communication tools: While the IMD provides weather warnings through apps, user guidance is needed. Videos and media explaining how to interpret warnings will enhance decision-making.

Question for practice:

Discuss how the implementation of ‘Mission Mausam’ aims to address India’s weather forecasting challenges highlighted by recent severe monsoon seasons.