Mission Mausam is an ambitious and transformative initiative led by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) that aims to make India a weather-ready and climate-smart nation and position the country as a global leader in weather and climate services. Amidst increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events like floods, heatwaves, and cyclones, which present significant risks to society, infrastructure, and agriculture, the mission aims to develop a robust weather forecasting system capable of providing early warnings down to the Panchayat level by 2030. By enhancing and improving observational and modelling infrastructure, Mission Mausam will equip the country with the tools to predict these events, provide timely warnings, ensure better preparation for the challenges ahead, and create a safer and more climate-resilient nation for all.

INCOIS, with its expertise in ocean observation, data management, ocean modelling, and data assimilation, will play a pivotal role in Mission Mausam. INCOIS will lead Mission Mausam data management by establishing a Centralized data assembly facility for Earth system data featuring with a digital twin capability to ensure real-time access to data for various stakeholders. This effort will improve operational weather predictions, disaster management, and long-term climate strategies for better adaptation and mitigation.

Additionally, INCOIS will also contribute to enhancing marine observation through implementing state-of-the-art upper-air observations, a marine test bed in the Bay of Bengal as a precursor towards the establishment of Ocean Research Station, and INCOIS will also lead the ocean component of national observation campaigns, focusing on monsoons and tropical cyclones. These efforts will promote cutting-edge research to improve our understanding of monsoon and extreme weather events dynamics and their forecasts.

The foundation of this mission lies in developing a Unified Earth System Model, which integrates advanced technologies such as high-performance computing and AI/ML to enhance forecasting accuracy. INCOIS will work on improving and developing ocean model parameterization, data assimilation, and AI/ML tools to provide the most accurate ocean initial conditions for atmospheric models, guaranteeing a robust forecasting system that meets the mission’s goals.

The mission will be implemented through nine distinct verticals, each designed with specific objectives to address different aspects of the principal goals, and they are structured to complement each other and also to ensure an integrated and coordinated approach to achieving the Mission Mausam outcomes.