PM Modi Unveils Mission Mausam: India's Weather Forecasting with AI and Cloud Chambers
PM Modi Unveils Mission Mausam:  India's Weather Forecasting with AI and Cloud Chambers
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NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched "Mission Mausam" on Tuesday, January 14. The initiative aims to leverage advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to strengthen weather prediction systems and tackle climate challenges more effectively.

What Mission Mausam Encompasses

The ambitious mission will:

  • Introduce Advance technologies for "weather management," including a laboratory to create artificial clouds.
  • Expand radar networks by over 150%, integrate new satellites, and deploy supercomputers.
  • Enhance India's weather prediction capabilities for short-term, medium-term, extended-range, and seasonal forecasts.


Addressing the event, Prime Minister  Modi said - We have launched the ‘Mission Mausam’ to make India climate-smart and weather-ready. Research and innovation are now integral to the temperament of New India.”

The Prime Minister also unveiled the IMD’s Vision-2047 document, emphasizing weather resilience and climate change adaptation. A commemorative coin was released to celebrate the India Meteorological Department's (IMD) 150th anniversary.

Key Objectives of Mission Mausam

The mission aims to:

  • Develop high-resolution models for more accurate monsoon predictions whereby 
  • Boost observational networks with satellites, advanced radars  and automated weather stations.
  • Provide actionable advisories for sectors like agriculture, water management, energy, health, and disaster preparedness.
  • Collaborate with global institutions for research and capacity building.

Implementation Phases

The five-year mission will be rolled out in two phases:

  • Phase 1 (Till March 2026): Focus on expanding observational infrastructure. Around 70 Doppler radars, high-performance computers, 10 wind profilers, and 10 radiometers will be added.
  • Phase 2: Enhance capabilities with new satellites and aircraft for better observations.
  • For context, while India currently has 39 Doppler radars, countries like China and the US are far ahead, with 217 and 160 radars, respectively.

Under the mission, a "cloud chamber" will be set up at the Indian Institute of Meteorology in Pune within 18 months. This laboratory will allow scientists to artificially create clouds to study their behavior under rising temperatures. The research will explore cloud seeding techniques to either enhance or suppress rainfall.

The project also aims to enhance air quality predictions in major metro cities by up to 10%. This is crucial for people living in urban areas, where air pollution can be a major health concern.
Mission Mausam also wants to provide weather predictions at the panchayat level, which means people in rural areas will have access to more accurate and localized weather forecasts. And with a lead time of 10-15 days, they'll have plenty of time to prepare for any severe weather events that might be headed their way. By addressing these challenges, Mission Mausam hopes to provide more accurate and reliable weather forecasts, which can help save lives and reduce the impact of severe weather events.

 

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