IMD launches National framework for climate services to safeguard critical sectors

• IMD introduces a comprehensive framework to strengthen climate monitoring and prediction services for critical sectors
•  A new mobile app, 'Mausam,' is launched to integrate various services provided by the weather office
• The Earth sciences minister notes a 40% improvement in the IMD's forecast accuracy for severe weather events in the last five years

The IMD marked its 150th year by introducing the National Framework of Climate Services (NFCS) in an effort to reduce losses from climate hazards and extreme weather events. The framework aims to enhance the production and delivery of science-based climate monitoring and prediction services, particularly for critical sectors such as agriculture, health, energy, and disaster management.

In addition to NFCS, the IMD launched a new mobile app called 'Mausam,' which integrates various weather services for users. The Earth sciences minister, Kiren Rijiju, praised the IMD for its significant improvement in forecast accuracy for severe weather events, noting a 40% enhancement over the past five years.

During the event, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar formally inaugurated the IMD's yearlong celebrations and also unveiled additional initiatives, including Panchayat Mausam Seva. The IMD's director-general, M Mohapatra, highlighted the organization's historical evolution, from providing port warnings in 1865 to issuing ocean forecasts in 1898 and flood alerts in 1966. Despite advancements, challenges persist in forecasting events like cloudbursts, lightning events, and localized extreme weather events.

Earth sciences minister Kiren Rijiju emphasized the IMD's commitment to becoming a world-class meteorological service, utilizing cutting-edge technology to monitor, predict, and warn against extreme weather and climate events. The minister announced plans to increase the number of Doppler radars from 15 to 39 for better forecasting, with an additional 25 radars planned in the next 2-3 years. The overall forecast accuracy for severe weather events has seen a substantial 40% improvement in the last five years.