News: Mission Mausam was launched by Prime Minister Modi on January 14, 2025, to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
About Mission Mausam
- Mission Mausam is an initiative launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) to position India as a global leader in weather and climate sciences.
- Overseen by: The mission will be led by three institutions funded by the Ministry of Earth Sciences:
- India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune
- National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (Noida)
- Aim: It aims to
- help India become “weather-ready” and “climate-smart” by improving meteorological services, which are crucial for disaster management.
- improve India’s weather forecasting, modeling, and dissemination capabilities.
- Focuses on:
- Forecasting and Modelling: The mission focuses on upgrading weather surveillance and forecasting capabilities.
- Weather Management: It will enable India to manage certain weather events such as rainfall, hail, fog, and lightning, adjusting their intensity on demand.
- Cloud Physics Research: A significant area of focus is enhancing research in cloud physics.
About cloud chambers
- India is developing a first-of-its-kind cloud chamber at IITM in Pune, which is designed to simulate the conditions needed for cloud formation.
- A cloud chamber is a sealed cylindrical or tubular drum, where water vapor, aerosols, and other substances are introduced. With the right humidity and temperature conditions within the chamber, a cloud can form.
- This chamber will help study the particles that form cloud droplets or ice particles, focusing on the unique behavior of monsoon clouds.
- Unlike basic cloud chambers used globally, this one will have convection properties to simulate the specific conditions required to study Indian monsoon clouds.
Need of Mission Mausam:
- Agrarian Economy: Climate change has disrupted rainfall patterns, making farmers more vulnerable. Accurate monsoon forecasts are crucial for optimizing sowing times, planning irrigation, and predicting crop yields.
- Disaster Preparedness: India frequently experiences extreme weather events like cyclones, floods, and droughts. Enhanced forecasting capabilities can save lives and minimize economic damage.
- Rural Development: Better weather services can assist rural communities by improving water resource management, protecting livestock, and aiding infrastructure planning.
