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American Meteorological Society, AMS has honored Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, India Meteorological Department with the Scientific and Technological Activities Commission Outstanding Service Award, 2025 for enhancing tropical cyclone prediction and warning systems in the Indian Ocean region through exceptional leadership and services.
This award honors a person who has made outstanding contributions to meteorology, especially in the fields of science and technology. Known as the “cyclone man of India,” Mohapatra has extensive experience in improving weather forecasting technology.
In addition to holding a PhD in physics, Mohapatra is the third vice president of the United Nations weather agency and India’s Permanent Representative to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Mohapatra was elected third vice-president of WMO by the nineteenth World Meteorological Congress in 2023 for a four-year term.
With 30 years of experience in the field of meteorology, Dr Mohapatra contributed to many WMO activities. Mohapatra was instrumental in improving cyclone warning services to 13 WMO/ESCAP Panel member countries with a reduction in track & intensity forecast errors by 25% and landfall errors by 40-70% up to 72 hours period during 2018-22 compared to 2013-17 as part of Tropical Cyclone Programme (TCP).
He conceived and implemented SWFP-South Asia as Head of RSMC, New Delhi to provide services to 9-member countries as part of Severe Weather Forecasting Programme (SWFP).
He has chaired many WMO Committees such as WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones (2017-18), Executive Council, South Asia Hydromet Forum, and Evaluation Committee for WMO Young Scientist Award among many other notable achievements.
