Mission Mausam to Boost Forecast Accuracy, Localised Warnings and Climate Resilience

India’s Mission Mausam is reshaping the country’s weather and climate preparedness by strengthening observation networks, forecasting technology and early-warning systems. The initiative aims to make forecasts more accurate, localized and actionable, helping communities and authorities prepare for severe weather events.

A central target is a 10–15 per cent improvement in forecast accuracy by 2030. Mission Mausam is expanding observation infrastructure with Doppler Weather Radars, radiosonde and radiowind stations, disdrometers, wind profilers, microwave radiometers, aerosol monitoring systems and other instruments. These systems will generate richer real-time atmospheric data for high-resolution numerical models.

The mission also targets severe-weather forecasting at a 5 km × 5 km spatial resolution. More granular forecasts can provide communities, district administrations, farmers and weather-sensitive sectors with information tailored to their locations rather than relying primarily on regional predictions.

Another priority is increasing early-warning lead time. Better observations, faster computing and improved modelling can help detect developing hazards earlier, giving authorities more time to evacuate vulnerable populations, protect infrastructure, mobilise emergency services and plan relief operations.

Mission Mausam further promotes impact-based and risk-based warnings. Instead of only forecasting an event such as heavy rain, a cyclone or heatwave, these systems aim to indicate its likely consequences for specific locations and sectors. This can make warnings more useful for decision-making and disaster response.

The mission also seeks last-mile dissemination of early warnings to every household by 2030, using digital platforms and multiple communication channels. This strengthens the link between scientific forecasts and action on the ground.

The approach is designed as an integrated “observe, predict, assess, warn and act” chain. Improved observations feed advanced models; models produce more precise forecasts; impact assessments translate them into actionable warnings; and faster dissemination enables timely responses.

By improving preparedness for cyclones, floods, heatwaves, thunderstorms and other hazards, Mission Mausam can reduce loss of life, damage to infrastructure and economic disruption. Its broader objective is to move India from reacting to extreme weather towards anticipating risks and building climate resilience.