NEW DELHI, 11 April 2024: India's weather forecasting capabilities received a strong endorsement from Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). He spoke during a recent Pre-Cyclone Exercise held in preparation for the upcoming April-June 2024 season.
The exercise, conducted at Mausam Bhavan in New Delhi recently, brought together various disaster management stakeholders to assess their readiness. Dr. Mohapatra highlighted India's strengths: a robust early warning system and cutting-edge weather forecasting models.
Collaboration is Key
He emphasized the successful collaboration between IMD, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the Indian Armed Forces. This teamwork ensures effective communication and coordinated responses during weather emergencies.
Innovation for Improved Accuracy
IMD's advancements include an indigenous "Decision Support System" that boasts over 50% increased accuracy compared to past predictions. Additionally, a Multimodal ensemble system provides continuous weather monitoring and location-specific advisories.
Reaching Every Household
Looking to the future, Dr. Mohapatra expressed confidence in IMD's ability to reach every household with weather information. This will involve integrating advanced technology and fostering partnerships with academia, research institutes, and public-private entities.
Success Stories
The exercise also highlighted past achievements. Dr. Mohapatra pointed to zero casualties during Cyclone Biparjoy, a testament to effective preparedness measures. Additionally, the National Disaster Management Authority's Web-based Dynamic Composite Risk Atlas (Web-DCRA) empowers district disaster managers with location-specific forecasting.
Continuous Improvement
The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) also highlighted their commitment to continuous improvement. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are regularly reviewed based on feedback, ensuring the best possible response during disasters.
This pre-cyclone exercise served as a valuable platform for collaboration and planning. With advanced technology, strong partnerships, and a focus on continuous improvement, India is well-positioned to effectively manage weather emergencies.