**Executive Summary**
This report details the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ (MoES) initiatives to address climate change through research, capacity-building, and advanced early warning systems. It highlights the assessment of rising temperatures and extreme weather events in India, alongside collaborative efforts in Haryana for AI applications and agro-meteorological services. Key tools include the "Climate Hazard & Vulnerability Atlas of India" and various digital dissemination platforms aimed at enhancing disaster risk reduction.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Climate Assessment and Research**
* The MoES report, "Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region," documents rising average temperatures, decreased monsoon precipitation, and increased intensity of severe cyclones and droughts since the mid-20th century.
* The India Meteorological Department (IMD) publishes annual climate summaries for each State during the first quarter of the year.
* Multiple dedicated institutes, such as IITM, NCMRWF, and INCOIS, conduct research on atmosphere, ocean, and polar system interactions to understand regional climate dynamics.
**Capacity Building and Education**
* The "Development of Skilled Manpower in Earth System Sciences (DESK)" program, led by IITM, provides targeted training and semester-based coursework to build expertise in climate science.
* Ongoing efforts include workshops and knowledge exchanges to strengthen the scientific community’s response to complex climate challenges.
**Technological Advancements and Infrastructure**
* Early warning systems for severe weather are supported by a state-of-the-art observation network, high-resolution dynamical models, and a GIS-based Decision Support System (DSS).
* The IMD has released a web-based "Climate Hazard & Vulnerability Atlas of India" covering the thirteen most hazardous meteorological events to assist in climate-resilient infrastructure planning.
* Collaborative MoUs have been established in Haryana, including one with Ashoka University for AI applications in weather forecasting.
**Information Dissemination and Monitoring**
* Multi-hazard early warning systems (MHEWS) provide impact-based forecasts and risk-based warnings using color codes.
* Public alerts are disseminated via mobile applications (MAUSAM, MEGHDOOT, DAMINI, UMANG, SACHET), SMS, social media, and community radio.
* Localized forecasting is facilitated at the Gram Panchayat level through digital platforms like e-Gramswaraj and Meri Panchayat.
* Maritime hazards and emergencies are addressed through ocean-based advisories and the Search and Rescue Aid Tool (SARAT).
**Impact Analysis**
**State Government Authorities and Disaster Management Agencies**
**Impact**
These entities receive precise data and tools, such as the Climate Hazard & Vulnerability Atlas, to identify hotspots and plan for extreme weather events.
**Action Required**
Utilize the Atlas and DSS for disaster risk reduction planning and coordinate responses through the established direct e-mail and WhatsApp notification channels.
**Farmers and the Agricultural Sector**
**Impact**
Farmers, particularly in Haryana, benefit from improved agro-meteorological advisory services and block-level weather information.
**Action Required**
Access weather information through Pashu Sakhi and Krishi Sakhi networks and follow advisories provided by agricultural universities.
**General Public**
**Impact**
Citizens have access to real-time, color-coded alerts and impact-based forecasts to protect lives and livelihoods.
**Action Required**
Register for SMS-based alerts and use dedicated mobile applications like MAUSAM and SACHET for timely weather updates.
**Scientific and Academic Community**
**Impact**
Researchers and students gain access to specialized training programs and collaborative R&D opportunities in Earth Sciences and AI.
**Action Required**
Engage with the DESK program and participate in MoES-led workshops and research collaborations.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES): The primary Indian government ministry responsible for coordinating climate research, earth science initiatives, and the development of early warning systems.
India Meteorological Department (IMD): The principal agency under MoES responsible for weather forecasting, publishing climate summaries, and managing multi-hazard early warning systems.
Assessment of Climate Change over the Indian Region: A foundational scientific report published by MoES that assesses the impacts and trends of climate change, such as temperature rises and monsoon variations, across India.
Climate Hazard & Vulnerability Atlas of India: A web-based resource that identifies geographical hotspots for hazardous meteorological events to assist in disaster management and climate-resilient infrastructure planning.
Development of Skilled Manpower in Earth System Sciences (DESK): A flagship capacity-building program led by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology to train scientific personnel in climate science and earth systems.
Ministry of Earth Sciences
PARLIAMENT QUESTION: STATUS OF CLIMATE
RESEARCH INITIATIVES
Posted On: 02 APR 2026 12:06PM by PIB Delhi
The Government has taken due note of the climate change across the country. The Ministry of Earth
Sciences (MoES), Government of India, through its Climate Change report titled "Assessment of Climate
Change over the Indian Region" (https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-981-15-4327-2), has
assessed the impact of climate change across the country. Since the middle of the twentieth century, India
has witnessed a rise in average temperatures; a decrease in monsoon precipitation; an increase in extreme
temperature and rainfall events, droughts, and sea levels; and an increase in the intensity of severe
cyclones. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), under MoES, publishes an annual climate
summary for each State during the first quarter of each year, which is publicly available on the IMD Pune
website (imdpune.gov.in).
The Government has undertaken multiple initiatives to advance Earth science research, capacity-building,
and educational infrastructure across the country, including in Haryana. Dedicated institutes under the
MoES e.g., IMD, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), National Centre for Medium Range
Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS),
National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), National Centre for Seismology (NCS), National Centre
for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT), Centre for
Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), National Center for Earth System Sciences (NCESS) are
advancing research in the interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, and polar systems, focusing on
their role in regional climate dynamics and extreme weather patterns. IITM leads the flagship
capacity-building initiative under MoES, the Development of Skilled Manpower in Earth System Sciences
(DESK) program, with the objective of developing academic habits through training on targeted areas and
semester-based coursework in Earth Sciences. Efforts are also being made to strengthen the scientific
community's capacity in climate science and assessment through training programs, workshops, and
knowledge exchanges, ensuring that India has the necessary expertise to understand and respond to the
complex climate challenges.
IMD signed an MoU with Chaudhary Charan Singh Haryana Agricultural University to provide improved
agro-meteorological advisory services to farmers in Haryana. Recently, IMD and Asoka University,
Haryana, signed an MoU to carry out collaborative research & development on AI applications in weather
& forecasting.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences has developed advanced early warning systems for severe weather events
such as cyclones, heavy rainfall, droughts, etc., which have devastating impacts on human lives,
livelihoods, and infrastructure, particularly in the context of climate change. Early warning for severe
weather events is supported by a state-of-the-art observation network that includes surface and upper-air
observations, remote sensing, seamless weather and climate prediction systems based on high-resolution
dynamical models, and an end-to-end GIS-based Decision Support System (DSS), which has been
working as the front end of the early warning systems for the timely detection and monitoring of weatherhazards across the country, including Haryana. The system is integrated with modern telecommunications
technologies to ensure the timely dissemination of information, enabling timely preparedness and
response in close collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA). This
coordinated approach ensures that accurate and timely weather information reaches authorities and the
public, enhancing disaster risk reduction efforts across the country.
IMD has also released a web-based "Climate Hazard & Vulnerability Atlas of India" prepared for the
thirteen most hazardous meteorological events, which cause extensive damage and economic, human, and
animal losses. The same can be accessed at https://imdpune.gov.in/hazardatlas/abouthazard.html. The atlas
provides information that may assist State Government authorities and disaster management agencies in
identifying potential hotspots and in planning appropriate measures to address extreme weather events.
The product also serves as a reference for efforts related to climate-resilient infrastructure planning. The
effective dissemination methods adopted by the Ministry for weather, ocean services, and earth sciences
information and alerts across the country, including disaster-prone areas, are as follows:
Public alerts and information are disseminated through mobile applications such as MAUSAM,
MEGHDOOT, DAMINI, and UMANG.
Digital dissemination channels include e-mail and SMS-based nowcasting and forecasting alerts to
registered users.
Alerts are issued through the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) and the SACHET App.
Information is shared via social media and mass media platforms.
IMD has developed a multi-hazard early warning (MHEWS) system for generation and
dissemination of accurate impact based weather forecasting and risk-based warning in a timely
manner during various severe weather events.
District Collectors are informed through direct e-mail and WhatsApp group notifications, in
coordination with the State Governments.
Broadcast dissemination is carried out through community radio, public broadcasting systems, and
other local communication networks.
Dissemination is also undertaken through State Government mobile applications.
Gram Panchayat-level weather forecasting (GPLWF) is facilitated through digital platforms such as
e-Gramswaraj, Meri Panchayat App, and e-Manchitra, in collaboration with the Ministry of
Panchayati Raj.
Weather information is disseminated to Pashu Sakhi and Krishi Sakhi at the block and Panchayat
levels in collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development.
Weather forecasts are accessible through the Mausamgram portal of the India Meteorological
Department.
Ocean-based early warning advisories for maritime hazards, such as high waves, strong currents,
swell surges, storm surges, and tsunamis.
Provides operational support during maritime emergencies through the Search and Rescue Aid Tool
(SARAT) and oil-spill trajectory advisories.
IMD provides Impact-Based Forecast (IBF) & Risk-Based Warning (RBW) at district level using
different colour codes since 2020.
This information was submitted by Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences and
Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh in Rajya Sabha on 2nd April 2026.
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