The India Meteorological Department (IMD) under the Ministry of Earth Sciences has launched a web-based Decision Support System (DSS) designed to provide cyclone and marine weather information in an interactive, easy-to-use format. The platform was dedicated to the nation on 12 October 2026 during a preparedness meeting for the October-December cyclone season. The system is now available to the public, disaster management authorities, government agencies and coastal communities through the IMD website.
Key facts
- Launch date: 12 October 2026
- Platform name: Cyclone Warning and Marine Weather Services Decision Support System (DSS)
- Access: www.mausam.imd.gov.in and www.rsmcnewdelhi.imd.gov.in
- Direct URL: https://dss.imd.gov.in/dwr_img/GIS/marine.php
- Meeting participants: 230 from over 30 organisations (180 online, 50 in-person)
- Participating agencies: NDMA, NDRF, Indian Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, state disaster management authorities and coastal states
- Platform type: WebGIS-based interactive system with maps and visualisations
What the platform offers
The DSS is an interactive mapping system that brings together forecast and observed cyclone data in one location. Users can access information on cyclone tracks, intensity forecasts, wind speed and direction, rainfall predictions, storm surge warnings and district-wise rainfall alerts. The platform translates complex weather forecasts into location-specific hazard information that can be understood and acted upon by non-technical users.
The system displays a cone of uncertainty around predicted cyclone paths, showing the range of possible tracks. Users can view interactive maps showing where a cyclone is expected to move, how strong it might become, and what rainfall and storm surge impacts are likely in their area. This allows district officials, port authorities, fisheries departments and coastal communities to understand the specific risks they face and take appropriate precautions.
Who can use it and why it matters
The DSS is designed for multiple audiences. Disaster management authorities at national, state and district levels can use it to coordinate evacuations, pre-position rescue teams and alert the public. Port authorities and shipping companies can make decisions about vessel movements. Fisheries departments can warn fishing communities to stay ashore. The general public can access the same information to prepare their families and property. By making weather forecast data visual and location-specific, the system aims to reduce the gap between what meteorologists predict and what people on the ground actually do with that information.
IMD’s cyclone forecasting record
The launch was timed to mark an anniversary in India’s disaster preparedness history. The IMD successfully predicted Cyclone Phailin in 2013 and Cyclone Hudhud in 2014, both of which crossed the coast on 12 October in their respective years. These forecasts earned international recognition and demonstrated India’s capability in early warning systems. The new DSS represents the next step in making those forecasts more accessible and actionable.
Inter-agency coordination framework
The DSS was unveiled during IMD’s bi-annual Pre-Cyclone Exercise Meeting, a forum that has met since 2008 to review preparedness for the upcoming cyclone season. The October 2026 meeting brought together representatives from the National Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Response Force, Ministry of Home Affairs, all three armed services, the Coast Guard, Central Water Commission, and disaster management officials from 15 coastal states and Union Territories. Scientific organisations including the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting and IIT also participated. This coordination ensures that cyclone warnings from the IMD are understood and acted upon by all agencies responsible for public safety, defence and maritime operations.
What happens next
The platform is now live and available for use by all stakeholders. Feedback from the October 2026 meeting will be used to further improve the system’s features and operational utility. The IMD will continue to conduct bi-annual preparedness meetings to review performance during cyclone seasons and update the system based on lessons learned and user requirements.