Context:

The Union Cabinet has approved 'Mission Mausam' with a budget allocation of ₹2,000 crore over two years. 

More on the News: 

• Recently, forecasting single-day rain events has become challenging, with outcomes often being more extreme or milder than predicted.
• At a national level, forecast accuracy for daily rainfall is 80% for the past 5 years and 60% for 5 days lead time forecast.

About the ‘Mission Mausam’ 

• Objectives: The initiative is aimed at improving India’s weather forecasting capabilities, by upgrading the weather monitoring infrastructure, investing in scientific research, and improving the skills of the scientists.
• It will help to better equip stakeholders, including citizens and last-mile users, in tackling extreme weather events and the impacts of climate change.
• An important task is to intensify the weather observation network in the country, not just over land, but also on sea and in the sky. 

Enhancing Atmospheric Sciences and Forecasting Capabilities

• The mission will significantly expand research, development, and capacity in atmospheric sciences, including weather surveillance, modelling, forecasting, and management. 
• It will integrate advanced observation systems, high-performance computing, and cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to provide highly accurate weather predictions.

Key Focus Areas

• The mission will enhance the delivery of precise and timely weather and climate information, including monsoon forecasts, air quality alerts, and warnings for extreme weather events such as cyclones. 
• It also aims to improve weather interventions for managing fog, hail, and rain, along with capacity building and awareness generation. 
• Critical components include deploying next-generation radars, satellite systems, and high-performance supercomputers, and developing Earth system models and a GIS-based automated Decision Support System for real-time data dissemination.

Benefits Across Multiple Sectors

• 'Mission Mausam' will benefit several sectors, including agriculture, disaster management, defense, environment, aviation, water resources, power, tourism, shipping, transport, energy, and health. 
• It will enhance data-driven decision-making in urban planning, transport, offshore operations, and environmental monitoring.

Implementing bodies

• The mission will primarily be implemented by three institutes under the Ministry of Earth Sciences: the India Meteorological Department, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, and the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting.