Making India a 'Weather-Ready, Climate-Smart' nation

Aimed at transforming the country into a “weather-ready and climate-smart” nation, the Indian government has launched the ambitious ‘Mission Mausam’ initiative, as per a DD News press release.

- Meena Janardhan

The scheme, with a total outlay of Rs 20,000 million for the period 2024-2026, seeks to develop advanced weather surveillance technologies, strengthen forecasting capabilities, and improve last-mile dissemination systems. The budget allocation includes Rs 2580 million for the financial year 2024-25 and Rs 17420 million for 2025-26.

An Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB) report says that with its diverse geography and climate, India is heavily influenced by weather and monsoon patterns. Recognizing the critical need for accurate weather forecasting, especially in a country where agriculture is a primary livelihood, on September 11, 2024, the Indian Union Cabinet approved Mission Mausam, a landmark initiative by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). 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.