Mission Mausam to make India weather- ready and climate-smart: official

The Union Government’s Mission Mausam seeks to make India weather-ready and climate-smart in alignment with global standards, Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences, M. Ravichandran, has said.

Delivering the Padma Bhushan Prof. P. Koteswaram Memorial Lecture organised by the Indian Meteorological Society, Visakhapatnam Chapter, in association with the Department of Meteorology and Oceanography, Andhra University, he spoke on the topic Role of Earth Sciences in India’s Growth, Prosperity and Security.

Mr. Ravichandran said Earth Sciences play a crucial role in accelerating economic growth and minimising the socio-economic impact of natural disasters. Mission Mausam, he said, envisages real time assimilation of local weather data through IoT platforms, social media inputs and crowd sourced observations, along with ensemble forecasting that presents a range of probable scenarios. The mission also focuses on disseminating weather information in simple and easily understandable language, without scientific jargon.

Emphasising the need for greater climate awareness among citizens, he said Earth Sciences are vital for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat and for understanding climatic changes. Describing the ocean as an ocean of opportunities, he underlined the importance of sustainable utilisation of marine resources to promote economic growth while ensuring the health, safety and diversity of ocean ecosystems.

He said the country has vast potential in fisheries, oil and gas exploration, offshore wind energy, marine minerals, desalinated water, tourism, trade and transport. He stressed the need to promote marine heritage tourism, nature-based activities, island sailing, oceanariums and Blue Flag certification for beaches. He also highlighted the scope for developing tourist destinations in geo heritage coastal States.

Andhra University Vice-Chancellor G. P. Rajasekhar urged students to draw inspiration from the lives of eminent personalities and to strengthen their academic and research capabilities.