Extreme Weather Events in India: Challenges, Impacts, and Management Strategies

India is a country characterized by immense geographical and climatic diversity, where extreme weather events—such as floods, cyclones, and heatwaves—occur frequently. Driven by the impacts of climate change, both the intensity and frequency of these disasters are on the rise, exerting a profound impact on human lives, agriculture, infrastructure, and the economy. In such circumstances, effective disaster management and the timely issuance of warnings become absolutely imperative.

Multi-Hazard Early Warning Decision Support System

¨     This is a digital platform that automates critical weather forecasting processes, as well as the decision-making procedures related to providing forecasts and warning services to the general public, governmental and non-governmental agencies, and specific stakeholders.

¨     It has been developed by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) utilizing open-source technology and in-house expertise.

¨     Launched in January 2024 under 'Mission Mausam' (Mission Weather), this platform integrates data from satellites, radars, and other observational sources with advanced forecasting tools. It employs Geographic Information System (GIS) maps to facilitate the efficient collection, analysis, and dissemination of weather data.

¨    It provides real-time, impact-based, multi-hazard forecasts across the entire country. By translating complex meteorological data into actionable warnings, it empowers both decision-makers and local communities.

¨     The system also incorporates a public-facing platform known as 'Mausamgram,' which delivers hyper-local weather forecasts upon the entry of a location name or PIN code.

¨    It reflects the Government of India's vision of a "Weather-Ready and Climate-Smart Nation" and embodies the philosophy of "Har Har Mausam, Har Ghar Mausam" (Weather for Every Season, Weather for Every Household).

Key Features of MHEW-DSS

¨   Automated Weather Data Processing: Over 90% of the processes involved in meteorological data collection, quality checks, and integration have now been automated.

¨   Enhanced Utilization of Forecasting Models:** Over 95% of the inputs from statistical weather forecasting models are now being utilized in the forecasting process.

¨     Extended Forecast Duration: The time horizon for weather forecasts has been extended from 5 days to 7 days.

¨     Accelerated Forecast Preparation: The time required to generate a forecast has been reduced from 6 hours to approximately 3 hours.

¨     Cost Savings and Self-Reliance: This system has resulted in cost savings of approximately ₹250 crore and has eliminated dependence on foreign vendors.

¨     Reduction in Evacuation Costs: Thanks to improved early warning systems, evacuation costs have decreased to one-third of their previous levels between 1999 and 2024. This achievement has been made possible by the IMD issuing accurate forecasts—3 to 5 days in advance—regarding the precise landfall location of cyclones.

Operational Structure of MHEW-DSS

¨   Weather Analysis and Forecasting Enabling System (WAFES):** This system assists forecasters in analyzing data, generating charts, and visually monitoring weather conditions through GIS-based maps.

¨     Utilizing a GIS-enabled platform, it integrates color-coded alerts for various types of disasters.

¨  To ensure timely action and disaster preparedness, it disseminates these warnings through digital channels such as SMS, email, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs), mobile applications (e.g., Mausam), the Common Alerting Protocol (CAP), and graphical bulletins.