Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, Dr. Jitendra Singh, reviewed the India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) indigenous Multi-Hazard Early Warning Decision Support System (DSS) today, emphasizing its role in achieving a remarkable cost saving of ₹250 crore. This initiative supports the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision and strengthens disaster preparedness across India.
During his visit to IMD, Dr. Singh praised the development of a self-reliant, technology-driven platform that eliminates the dependence on foreign vendors. The implementation of this system also results in an estimated annual savings of ₹5.5 crore in maintenance costs. “This is a significant achievement that showcases India’s capabilities in advanced forecasting systems,” he stated.
Furthermore, the Minister reviewed Mausamgram, a citizen-focused weather information platform designed to deliver hyperlocal forecasts. This system provides hourly forecasts for 36 hours, three-hourly forecasts for 5 days, and six-hourly forecasts for up to 10 days. Users can easily access weather data through PIN code, location name, or by selecting their state, district, block, and gram panchayat. Additionally, Mausamgram supports all official Indian languages for broader accessibility.
The IMD has significantly modernized its forecasting process, extending lead times for alerts from 5 to 7 days, reducing preparation time by three hours, and boosting accuracy by up to 20%. These enhancements are crucial for timely disaster response, ensuring citizens receive relevant information when it matters most.
Dr. Singh encouraged IMD officials to integrate AI-based tools into Mausamgram to enhance user interaction and experience. “Clear and actionable alerts are paramount for effective disaster response,” he said, urging further improvements to the Multi-Hazard Early Warning System.
Commending IMD’s efforts, he noted the organization recently received the National Award for e-Governance 2025 during the 28th National Conference on e-Governance in Visakhapatnam. This accolade recognizes IMD’s commitment to excellence in digital public service delivery through the DSS.
Highlighting sustainable initiatives, Dr. Singh applauded IMD’s Special Swachhata Program, which generated ₹30 lakh from the disposal of electronic waste and old files, while also clearing 600 square meters of space. He participated in the “Special Swachhata Program 5.0” at IMD’s headquarters, where he planted a sapling under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign and recognized 50 “Safai Mitras” for their dedication.
Looking ahead, Dr. Singh spoke about the ambitious Mission Mausam, which envisions the installation of advanced meteorological instruments by 2030. This initiative aims to develop 5×5 km-scale hazard forecasting, dynamic impact-based forecasting, and risk-based warnings, ultimately ensuring last-mile connectivity. “We strive to ensure that early warnings reach every household, fulfilling the vision of ‘Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam,’” he remarked.
