Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Jitendra Singh, visited the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to review its indigenous Multi-Hazard Early Warning Decision Support System (DSS). This innovative system has resulted in significant cost savings for the government, amounting to ₹250 crore.
The implementation of this Web-GIS based system signifies a move towards self-reliance in technology, a core principle of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Dr. Singh commended IMD’s achievement in developing a citizen-centric forecasting platform that enhances disaster preparedness and public safety nationwide. The DSS has drastically cut reliance on foreign technologies, saving the government ₹5.5 crore in annual maintenance costs.
During his visit, Dr. Singh also explored “Mausamgram,” a comprehensive weather information platform that offers hyperlocal forecasts at the village level. This service provides hourly forecasts for up to 36 hours, three-hourly updates for five days, and six-hourly forecasts for ten days. Users can conveniently access the forecasts by their PIN code or by selecting their state, district, block, and gram panchayat. Importantly, “Mausamgram” ensures accessibility by offering services in all official Indian languages.
In a significant upgrade, the IMD has modernized its forecasting and alert generation process, extending the lead time for forecasts from five to seven days. This improvement not only enhances the preparedness of local authorities but also reduces forecast preparation time by three hours and boosts overall accuracy by an impressive 15–20%.
Engaging with IMD officials, Dr. Singh highlighted the need for AI-based tools in “Mausamgram” to foster interactivity and user-friendliness. He pressed for further enhancements to the Multi-Hazard Early Warning System to ensure that citizens receive clear and actionable alerts for swift disaster response.
Dr. Singh congratulated the IMD team for winning the National Award for e-Governance 2025. This award recognizes IMD’s excellence in digital public service delivery through the DSS. The Minister expressed hope that such recognitions will encourage ongoing innovation and commitment towards public safety.
The Minister also praised the IMD’s initiatives under the Special Swachhata Program, which successfully generated ₹30 lakh from disposal of electronic waste and old files, effectively clearing 600 square meters of space. At the headquarters, “Mausam Bhavan,” Dr. Singh participated in the Special Swachhata Program 5.0, where he planted a sapling as part of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign and honored 50 “Safai Mitras” for their invaluable dedication.
Looking ahead, Dr. Singh emphasized the importance of Mission Mausam, which involves the installation of advanced meteorological instruments. This initiative aims to refine IMD’s forecasting capabilities by 2030, striving for precise 5×5 km-scale hazard forecasting, dynamic impact-based forecasting, and rigorous risk-based early warnings. The goal remains to ensure that timely early warnings reach every household, delivering on the vision of “Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam.”
