Dr. Jitendra Singh Reviews IMD’s Multi-Hazard Early Warning DSS

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh visited the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to review its groundbreaking Multi-Hazard Early Warning Decision Support System (DSS), developed indigenously by IMD. His visit highlighted the achievement of cost savings amounting to ₹250 crore, underscoring the importance of self-reliance in technology as outlined in the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

During his review, Dr. Singh commended IMD’s innovation, describing it as a self-reliant and citizen-centric forecasting platform that significantly enhances disaster preparedness and public safety nationwide. He noted that the DSS has not only eliminated the reliance on foreign technology but also reduced annual maintenance costs by an additional ₹5.5 crore.

The Minister explored IMD’s Mausamgram initiative, which offers hyperlocal weather forecasts down to the village level. This user-friendly platform features hourly forecasts for 36 hours, three-hourly forecasts for 5 days, and six-hourly forecasts for up to 10 days. Residents can easily access forecasts tailored to their needs using their PIN code, location name, or state and district selections. The service is available in all official Indian languages, ensuring that all citizens can utilize it effectively.

IMD has successfully modernized its forecasting and alert process, extending lead times from 5 to 7 days. This advancement decreases preparation time by three hours and improves forecast accuracy by 15-20%. Dr. Singh urged IMD officials to integrate AI-based tools into “Mausamgram” to enhance its interactivity, making it even more user-friendly. He stressed the need for the Multi-Hazard Early Warning System to deliver clear, actionable alerts that empower citizens to respond promptly to disasters.

Praising IMD’s contributions to digital governance, Dr. Singh congratulated the agency for winning the National Award for e-Governance 2025 at the National Conference on e-Governance in Visakhapatnam. This accolade highlights IMD’s excellence in digital public service delivery via the DSS.

Additionally, Dr. Singh acknowledged the Department’s efforts under the Special Swachhata Program, which generated ₹30 lakh from the disposal of e-waste and old files, clearing 600 square meters of space at its headquarters. During this initiative, he participated in the “Special Swachhata Program 5.0” at Mausam Bhavan, where he planted a sapling as part of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign and honored 50 “Safai Mitras” for their valuable contributions.

Looking ahead, Dr. Singh revealed the ambitious Mission Mausam, aiming to install advanced meteorological instruments by 2030. This mission will enhance IMD’s forecasting capabilities, enabling 5×5 km-scale hazard forecasting, dynamic impact-based forecasting, and timely risk-based early warnings. Emphasizing the significance of last-mile connectivity, he affirmed the goal to ensure early warnings reach every household, embodying the vision of “Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam.”