**Executive Summary**
Mission Mausam, operational since November 2024, aims to strengthen India’s weather observation, forecasting, and research infrastructure through advanced technology and indigenous development. Lead agencies including the IMD, NCMRWF, and IITM are targeting a 10–15% improvement in forecast accuracy and universal last-mile connectivity by 2030. The document also clarifies that while specific regional centers like Mayiladuthurai utilize existing infrastructure, no new extension centers are currently proposed for that location.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Infrastructure and Procurement**
* **Expansion of Observational Networks:** The mission involves commissioning 53 Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs), 60 Radiosonde/Radiowind stations, 100 Disdrometers, 10 Wind Profilers, and 25 Microwave Radiometers.
* **Specialized Monitoring:** Efforts include augmenting the Solar Radiation Monitoring Network, expanding the Black Carbon Aerosol Network to 25 stations, and establishing five Total Columnar Ozone monitoring stations.
* **Advanced Computing:** The mission is establishing mini–High Performance Computing Systems (HPCS), a Radar Data Centre, and Visualization and Decision Support Systems.
**Research and Development**
* **Specialized Laboratories:** New R&D labs are being created for tropical cyclones, severe weather events, aviation meteorology, and mountain weather.
* **Indigenous Innovation:** Collaboration with start-ups and various agencies is underway to develop indigenous meteorological instruments, sensors, and software.
**2030 Strategic Goals**
* **High-Resolution Forecasting:** Achieving a spatial resolution of 5 × 5 km for severe weather hazard forecasts.
* **Enhanced Accuracy:** Realizing a 10–15% improvement in overall forecast accuracy.
* **Risk Management:** Implementing dynamic impact-based forecasting and risk-based warnings for all major severe weather events.
* **Universal Reach:** Strengthening last-mile connectivity to ensure early warnings reach every household.
**Regional Infrastructure (Tamil Nadu focus)**
* **Existing Facilities:** Mayiladuthurai is currently served by an S-band Weather Radar and an Upper Air Weather Observing System at Karaikal, alongside local Automatic Weather Stations (AWS).
* **Policy on New Centres:** There is currently no proposal for an IMD extension centre in Mayiladuthurai, as medium-range forecasts are already provided daily through Regional Meteorological Centres.
**Impact Analysis**
**India Meteorological Department (IMD) / NCMRWF / IITM**
**Impact**
These organizations will see a significant improvement in functioning and operational forecasting capabilities through upgraded research infrastructure and modern instrumentation.
**Action Required**
Continue the procurement and commissioning of proposed instruments and manage the expansion of observational networks.
**General Public and Households**
**Impact**
The public will benefit from improved effectiveness of weather services, highly localized warnings, and 10-15% better forecast accuracy.
**Action Required**
Utilize mobile applications such as MAUSAM, Meghdoot, Damini, and UMANG to access real-time weather information and alerts.
**Start-ups and Meteorological Agencies**
**Impact**
There are increased opportunities for partnership in the indigenous development of sensors and software.
**Action Required**
Engage in collaborative R&D efforts for the domestic production of meteorological technology.
**State and District Administrations (e.g., Tamil Nadu SDMA)**
**Impact**
Local authorities receive enhanced real-time weather and rainfall data to support disaster management and agricultural planning.
**Action Required**
Maintain coordination with IMD for the dissemination of nowcasting alerts through the Common Alerting Protocol.
Key Entities Referenced
Mission Mausam: A national scheme operational since November 2024 aimed at strengthening weather observation systems, forecasting capabilities, and research infrastructure across India.
India Meteorological Department (IMD): The primary agency responsible for implementing Mission Mausam and providing nationwide weather forecasts and severe weather warnings.
Ministry of Earth Sciences: The governing ministry overseeing the Mission Mausam initiative and its implementation through various meteorological organizations.
National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF): A key implementing organization under the Mission Mausam focused on enhancing medium-range weather forecasting and operational capabilities.
Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu: The specific district focused on in the Parliamentary inquiry regarding the establishment of local weather forecasting infrastructure.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: Mission Mausam
Posted On: 18 MAR 2026 3:03PM by PIB Delhi
The country’s Mission Mausam has been operational since November 2024. The scheme is primarily
implemented by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the National Centre for Medium Range
Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Noida and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is implementing several activities under the Mission to
strengthen weather observation systems, forecasting capabilities, and research infrastructure.
Major activities under Mission Mausam include commissioning of 53 Doppler Weather Radars (DWRs),
60 Radiosonde/Radiowind (RS/RW) stations, 100 Disdrometers, 10 Wind Profilers, and 25 Microwave
Radiometers; augmentation of the Solar Radiation Monitoring Network (55 stations); commissioning of
10 Aerosol/Raman LiDARs; procurement of 20 Skyradiometers; expansion of the Black Carbon Aerosol
Network to 25 stations; strengthening of the Ozonesonde Network (3 stations in India plus Maitri and
Bharati stations in Antarctica); and establishment of 5 Total Columnar Ozone monitoring stations. The
Mission also includes establishment of mini–High Performance Computing Systems (HPCS),
Visualization and Decision Support Systems, a Radar Data Centre, R&D laboratories for tropical
cyclones, severe weather events, aviation meteorology and mountain weather, and augmentation of
training facilities. Collaboration with various agencies and start-ups is also being undertaken for
indigenous development of meteorological instruments, sensors and software.
Most of the instruments proposed under Mission Mausam are currently in advanced stages of
procurement. At present, 48 Doppler Weather Radars operated by IMD and sister organizations such as
the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
are operational.
The functioning of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the National Centre for Medium
Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) is expected to improve significantly under Mission Mausam.
Mission Mausam aims to enhance weather monitoring and forecasting capabilities across India and
surrounding regions, including rural areas, by leveraging advanced observational networks, modern
instrumentation, and enhanced computing infrastructure. The Mission envisages the installation and
commissioning of several advanced meteorological instruments. The Implementation of Mission Mausam
is expected to lead to:
i. Improved forecasting of severe weather hazards at a spatial resolution of about 5 × 5 km by
2030.
ii. Dynamic impact-based forecasting and risk-based warnings for all major severe weather
events.iii. Strengthened last-mile connectivity to ensure dissemination of early warnings to all, with the
objective of reaching each household by 2030; and
iv. An improvement of about 10–15% in forecast accuracy by 2030.
v. These initiatives will significantly strengthen the operational forecasting capabilities of IMD
and NCMRWF and improve the effectiveness of weather services provided to various sectors
and the public.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) provides weather forecasts, including severe weather
warnings, for all districts of the country, including Mayiladuthurai in Tamil Nadu. These forecasts and
warnings are disseminated through multiple communication platforms.
Weather information and alerts are issued through the IMD website, the portals of the Regional
Meteorological Centre Chennai, email and SMS alerts to the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC),
district collectors, and other registered stakeholders, as well as through social media platforms and real-
time weather portals. In addition, IMD provides public access to weather information through mobile
applications such as MAUSAM, Meghdoot, Damini, and UMANG.
Weather forecasts and warnings are also disseminated in coordination with the Tamil Nadu State Disaster
Management Authority, district administrations, national and regional media, community radio, and
through SMS-based nowcasting alerts using the Common Alerting Protocol.
In view of the above arrangements, there is no proposal at present to establish an IMD extension centre at
Mayiladuthurai. However, IMD expands its observational infrastructure from time to time based on
operational requirements, vulnerability to weather hazards, and availability of resources.
There is no specific policy to establish a medium-range weather forecasting station exclusively at
Mayiladuthurai in Tamil Nadu. Medium-range weather forecasts (up to 7 days) are issued daily by the
India Meteorological Department (IMD) through its State Meteorological Centres and Regional
Meteorological Centres for all districts and Union Territories across the country. For Tamil Nadu, such
forecasts and warnings are issued by the Regional Meteorological Centre Chennai and disseminated to
users and stakeholders.
However, observational infrastructure supporting weather monitoring already exists in the region. An
IMD S-band Weather Radar is installed at Karaikal, located about 50 km from Mayiladuthurai, which
monitors weather systems over adjoining coastal districts of Tamil Nadu. In addition, an Upper Air
Weather Observing System (Radiosonde/Radiowind) is operational at Karaikal to monitor atmospheric
parameters.
Further, an Automatic Weather Station (AWS) at Mayiladuthurai (11.00°N, 79.68°E) and an Automatic
Rain Gauge (ARG) at Manalmedu (11.26°N, 79.60°E) provide real-time weather and rainfall data,
supporting weather forecasting, disaster management, and agricultural planning in the district.
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences and
Science & Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in Lok Sabha on 18th of March 2026.
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