PARLIAMENT QUESTION: ADVANCING MONSOON SCIENCE, CLIMATE RESEARCH AND WEATHER FORECASTING

The article details the advancements in monsoon science, climate research, and weather forecasting in India, primarily through the Mission Mausam program under the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES). It highlights recent studies showing increased frequency of extreme rainfall and deep convective clouds, linking them to human-induced climate change. Key initiatives include adopting advanced Multi-Model Ensemble (MME) and Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) models, strengthening observation networks (DWRs, AWSs, ARGs), expanding satellite-based observations (including indigenous satellites and international data), and developing indigenous, citizen-centric forecasting systems like IMD's Decision Support System (DSS) under 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. Dissemination efforts include the Panchayat Mausam Seva Portal, leveraging e-GramSwaraj, and networks like Krishi Sakhis and Pashu Sakhis for last-mile connectivity. The National Centre For Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) has developed climate reanalysis datasets (NGFS, IMDAA) and uses AI/ML. The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) is also improving seasonal prediction models. The mission involves extensive national and international collaborations, including with WMO and various academic and research institutions, to enhance climate resilience and disaster preparedness.