Discuss how Mission Mausam seeks to transform India's weather forecasting and disaster early-warning capabilities. Examine associated implementation challenges.

Q. Discuss how Mission Mausam seeks to transform India's weather forecasting and disaster early-warning capabilities. Examine associated implementation challenges. (15 marks, 250 words)

Approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2024 with a ₹2,000 crore outlay over two years, Mission Mausam aims to make India "weather-ready and climate-smart," launched by the PM in January 2025 on IMD's 150th Foundation Day [1][2]. It marks a shift from broad regional forecasts to high-resolution, last-mile early warnings.

How it transforms capabilities - Indigenous modelling: the Bharat Forecast System (BharatFS), a 6-km-resolution NWP model, enables block/panchayat-level forecasts—a first for India [3]. - Observation upgrade: Doppler radar network expands from 39 (2023) toward +87 new radars by 2026, plus next-generation satellites and supercomputing [3]. - Dissemination: the public "Mausamgram" platform delivers hourly (36 hrs) to 10-day forecasts [4]. - Disaster outcome: cyclone deaths fell from ~10,000 (1999) to near-zero (2020–24), with a reported 40% gain in severe-weather accuracy [3][4].

Implementation challenges - Inter-institutional coordination: execution across IMD, IITM and NCMRWF under MoES demands seamless integration of observation, modelling and dissemination arms [1]. - Infrastructure rollout: installing 87 radars in difficult terrain (Himalayas, North-East) within tight timelines risks delay. - Last-mile gap: granular forecasts help only if warnings reach rural and fisher communities in local languages with actionable advisories. - Capacity and sustainability: shortage of trained meteorologists and recurring O&M costs beyond the two-year window.

By marrying indigenous technology with expanded observation, Mission Mausam can anchor India's disaster resilience and Sendai Framework commitments—provided coordination and last-mile delivery keep pace with scientific gains.

(~250 words)

Sources: 1. Cabinet approves 'Mission Mausam' (PIB, 11 Sept 2024) — outlay, MoES nodal ministry, implementing institutes, coordination 2. PM launches 'Mission Mausam', releases IMD Vision-2047 (PIB, 14 Jan 2025) — launch date, climate-smart objective 3. Mission Mausam Unveiled: ₹2,000 crore initiative (PIB) — BharatFS 6-km, radar target, cyclone deaths, accuracy gain 4. Parliament Question: Weather Forecasting and Early Warnings (PIB) — Mausamgram forecast tiers, forecast-accuracy improvement