To mark the completion of 150 years of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Mission Mausam on Tuesday (January 14).

India Meteorological Department (IMD) was established in 1875.

Mission Mausam aims to cover all aspects of weather and forecasting services offered in the country.

Mission Mausam

The mission will aim to upgrade the capabilities of India’s weather department in forecasting, modelling, and dissemination. Mission Mausam will have a budget of Rs 2,000 crore for the first two years of its implementation.

It will invest heavily in improving weather surveillance, modelling, forecasting to directly benefit key sectors - from agriculture, aviation and defence to disaster management, tourism and health, according to a statement by the government.