Climate Change Impacts Weather Forecasting, But Measures Are In Place To Address Challenges: Met Department DG Mohapatra

Bhubaneswar (Odisha) [India], December 24: On Tuesday, India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra highlighted the challenges climate change poses to weather forecasting, stating that the ongoing phenomenon has contributed to extreme weather conditions globally.

1. Challenges Posed by Climate Change:
   Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, the Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), discussed the challenges that climate change presents for weather forecasting. He emphasized that climate change has contributed to extreme weather patterns worldwide.
2. IMD’s Efforts to Overcome Challenges:
   Mohapatra highlighted that the IMD has made efforts to adapt to these challenges, particularly in detecting and predicting minor weather changes.
3. Improved Forecast Accuracy:
   Over the past five years, the IMD’s accuracy in forecasting heavy rainfall has improved significantly, rising from 60% to 80%. Mohapatra stressed that overcoming climate change-related challenges has been crucial to these advancements.
4. Lightning Forecasting:
   In 2019, IMD began forecasting lightning, a feat only five countries globally can achieve. To improve its understanding of lightning, the IMD is setting up a research test center in Balasore, with support from ISRO and DRDO. Additional observation systems have been introduced in states like Jharkhand, Odisha, and Gangetic West Bengal.
5. Increased Forecast Accuracy Over 10 Years:
   In the past decade, weather forecasting accuracy has improved by 40-50%. The IMD has significantly expanded its observational network, increasing from 80 observation stations to 550 departmental observatories, 2000 automatic weather stations, and 39 Doppler radars. By 2026, 34 additional radars will be installed, further improving forecast accuracy by 10-15% in the next five years.
6. Making Weather Forecasts Accessible:
   The IMD has launched the ‘Har Har Mausam and Har Ghar Mausam’ campaign to make accurate weather forecasts accessible to every household. As part of this initiative, the IMD developed the ‘Mausam’ mobile app, which provides weather updates on an hourly basis for the next 36 hours.
7. Collaboration with Local Authorities:
   Through collaboration with the Panchayati Raj Ministry, IMD is sending weather forecasts to ward members, sarpanchs, and panchayat secretaries. Additionally, with the help of the Rural Development Ministry, weather updates are being provided to women involved in agriculture and animal husbandry, enhancing the community’s preparedness for weather events.