At 150, IMD eyes hyperlocal forecast for climate extremes

The IMD issued a nowcast warning at 1.30am on June 28 saying intense rain was approaching the national capital, and hours later, it woke up to the highest rain it recorded in a day since 1936.

- Jayashree Nandi

NEW DELHI: The prediction of highly localised extreme weather events resulting from the climate crisis will be at the heart of India Meteorological Department's planning for coming years, the agency's head Mritunjay Mohapatra said Monday, ahead of celebrations of its 150th anniversary, which will also see the launch of an ambitious project, Mission Mausam, to help the country deal with extreme weather events, often the result of the climate crisis.

He added that while, overall, weather forecasts have improved by 40-50% since 2014, a new, more dynamic challenge has emerged. "Due to climate change, highly localised significant weather events are occurring so their prediction is also essential. These are very small scale, localised events. In one part of the city we are seeing extreme rain and no rain in other parts, these are difficult to predict and we wish to address it," said Mohapatra, director general, IMD.

The impact of such events could be catastrophic.

For instance, at 1.30am on June 28, IMD issued a nowcast (immediate forecast) warning that said intense rain was approaching the city. Hours later, the city woke up to the highest rain it recorded in a day since 1936.

"The government announced Mission Mausam to make India weather ready. That is the comprehensive overall vision," added Mohapatra.

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved "Mission Mausam" with an outlay of ₹2,000 crore over two years in September last year.