Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, visited the India Meteorological Department (IMD) today to review its indigenous Multi-Hazard Early Warning Decision Support System (DSS). The initiative has led to a remarkable cost saving of ₹250 crore under the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, reinforcing India’s commitment to self-reliance.
During his visit, Dr. Singh commended the IMD for developing a self-reliant, technology-driven, and citizen-centric platform that significantly enhances disaster preparedness across India. The cost-saving measures implemented by the IMD have not only eliminated dependence on foreign technology but also cut annual maintenance costs by ₹5.5 crore.
Dr. Singh highlighted the enhanced features of the Multi-Hazard Early Warning DSS, emphasizing its critical role in advancing public safety and response capabilities. He pointed out how the improved forecasting system provides a more accurate prediction, extending lead time from 5 to 7 days, while cutting down forecast preparation time by three hours. He noted that the accuracy of weather predictions has improved by 15 to 20%.
Further, Dr. Singh explored the Mausamgram initiative, a platform aimed at providing localized weather information to citizens. “Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam” is the guiding principle behind this citizen-focused system, offering hourly forecasts for 36 hours and detailed three-hourly forecasts for up to five days.
Mausamgram delivers forecasts through user-friendly access options, allowing individuals to search by PIN code, location name, state, or district. The service is available in all official Indian languages, ensuring accessibility for diverse populations across the nation.
The IMD’s modernization efforts extend beyond forecasting. Dr. Singh advocated for incorporating AI-based tools into Mausamgram, aiming to make it more interactive. Enhancements to the Multi-Hazard Early Warning System are set to include clear, actionable alerts, ensuring citizens can respond effectively to emergencies.
Recognizing the IMD’s exceptional performance, Dr. Singh celebrated its recent accolade of winning the National Award for e-Governance 2025 at the 28th National Conference on e-Governance held in Visakhapatnam. This award acknowledges the department’s efforts in enhancing digital public service delivery through the DSS.
Besides technological advancements, Dr. Singh took part in IMD’s Special Swachhata Program, which generated ₹30 lakh from the disposal of e-waste and old files. The initiative cleared over 600 square meters at the IMD headquarters, ensuring a cleaner workspace.
As part of the swachhata efforts, he also planted a sapling under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign and honored 50 “Safai Mitras” for their dedication to cleanliness and sustainability.
Looking ahead, Dr. Singh discussed the vision for Mission Mausam, which aims to equip the IMD with advanced meteorological instruments by 2030. This ambitious project seeks to enhance hazard forecasting to a 5×5 km scale, focusing on dynamic impact-based forecasts and risk-based early warnings. The ultimate goal is to achieve last-mile connectivity to ensure that timely warnings reach every household, embodying the vision of “Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam.”