Mission Mausam is a project by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, aimed at reconnecting and reviving India’s maritime cultural heritage. It focuses on historical coastal and transoceanic cultural linkages across the Indian Ocean region.
India’s Efforts in Enhancing Weather and Climate Science
Key Initiatives:
- Monsoon Mission (2012):
- Objective: To improve prediction of monsoons on different time scales, enhancing long-range forecasts crucial for agricultural and economic planning.
- Implementing Agencies: Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), India Meteorological Department (IMD), and National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF).
- Significance: Provides more accurate monsoon forecasts, aiding farmers and policymakers.
- National Monsoon Mission:
- Phases:
- Phase I (2012-2017): Development of a dynamic prediction system.
- Phase II (2017-2020): Improvement of models for short, medium, and long-range forecasts.
- Outcome: Enhanced prediction capabilities for extreme weather events.
- Mausam Mobile Application:
- Launched By: India Meteorological Department (IMD).
- Features:
- Provides weather forecasts, nowcasts, and warnings for multiple locations.
- Offers weather information for the next seven days.
- Benefit: Helps citizens plan activities and take precautions against adverse weather.
- High-Performance Computing Systems:
- Pratyush and Mihir:
- Among the fastest supercomputers in India dedicated to weather and climate modeling.
- Enhance the capability to forecast severe weather events with greater accuracy and lead time.
- Earth System Science Organization (ESSO):
- Purpose: An executive arm of the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) responsible for formulating and implementing policies related to Earth System Science.
- Components:
- IMD: Provides weather forecasts and warnings.
- IITM: Conducts research on tropics and monsoon.
- NCMRWF: Focuses on medium-range weather forecasting.
- PRITHVI (Process for Weather and Climate Modelling):
- Objective: To develop a unified model for weather forecasting covering time scales from days to seasons.
- Components:
- Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS).
- Ocean Services, Modelling, Application, Resources, and Technology (O-SMART).
- Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER).
- Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE).
- Research, Education, Training, and Outreach (REACHOUT).
- Earth Observation Satellites:
- INSAT-3D (2013), INSAT-3DR (2016), and INSAT-3DS (planned for 2024).
- Function: Provide vital data for weather forecasting, cyclone tracking, and disaster warning.
- Weather Information Network and Data System (WINDS):
- Launched By: Ministry of Agriculture.
- Purpose: Generate long-term, hyper-local weather data to support farmers.
- Benefit: Assists in agricultural planning and reducing crop losses due to unforeseen weather events.
- Mobile Applications for Weather Services:
- Meghdoot:
- Jointly developed by IMD and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
- Provides location-specific agro-meteorological advisories to farmers.
- Damini:
- Focuses on lightning alert services to minimize casualties and damage.
Significance of Enhanced Weather and Climate Initiatives
- Weather Readiness and Climate Smartness:
- Expanding understanding of weather processes at various spatial and temporal scales.
- Improving preparedness for extreme weather events.
- Timely Updates and Services:
- Regular updates on changing weather parameters like wind speed, humidity, and atmospheric pressure.
- Ensuring capacity building and community resilience.
- Sectoral Benefits:
- Agriculture: Better crop planning, reduced losses due to weather extremes.
- Disaster Management: Improved early warning systems, aiding in evacuation and mitigation efforts.
- Health: Monitoring weather-related health risks like heatwaves.
- Transportation: Enhanced safety in air, maritime, and land transport.
- Empowering Stakeholders:
- Equipping citizens, farmers, and local authorities with accurate weather information.
- Facilitating last-mile connectivity in weather information dissemination.
- New Approaches to Forecasting:
- Adoption of artificial intelligence and machine learning models for better prediction.
- Providing hyper-local forecasts with improved accuracy.
Other Government Initiatives Fostering Weather Forecast Improvements
- National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF):
- Specializes in numerical weather prediction at medium-range timescales.
- Supports various sectors like aviation, agriculture, and water resources.
- Atmospheric Research Program:
- Objective: To understand atmospheric processes through observational and modeling studies.
- Areas of Focus: Air quality, climate variability, and atmospheric chemistry.
- Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER):
- Purpose: Study of polar sciences and the cryosphere to understand their impact on climate.
- Activities: Expeditions to Antarctica and the Arctic, research on glaciers.
- Ocean Observations and Information Services (OOIS):
- Under: O-SMART scheme.
- Goal: To monitor and understand oceanic processes and their impact on climate.
- Integrated Himalayan Meteorology Program:
- Aim: Improve weather and climate forecasts in the Himalayan region.
- Significance: Crucial for disaster management in a region prone to avalanches and landslides.
Importance for UPSC Exam
- General Studies Paper I:
- Geography: Understanding climatic patterns, monsoons, and weather phenomena in India.
- General Studies Paper III:
- Environment and Ecology: Impact of climate change and extreme weather events.
- Science and Technology: Developments in weather forecasting technologies and their applications.
- Disaster Management: Role of early warning systems in mitigating disasters.
- Essay and Interview:
- Ability to discuss government initiatives aimed at technological advancement and climate resilience.
- Understanding of how improved weather services benefit various sectors and contribute to sustainable development.
Conclusion
India’s commitment to enhancing its weather and climate science capabilities is evident through numerous initiatives and collaborations. By investing in advanced technologies, high-performance computing, and research programs, the nation aims to become weather-ready and climate-smart. These efforts not only safeguard lives and property but also bolster various economic sectors, contributing to overall sustainable development.
For the most recent and detailed information, it is recommended to visit official websites such as:
- Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): moes.gov.in
- India Meteorological Department (IMD): mausam.imd.gov.in
- Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM): tropmet.res.in
- National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF): ncmrwf.gov.in
These resources offer comprehensive insights and updates essential for UPSC exam preparation.