Suparjya swain 
BHUBANESWAR: Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology at the India Meteorological Department (IMD), has been conferred the United Nations Sasakawa Award 2025—the world’s highest honour for disaster risk reduction. The award recognises his exemplary leadership in advancing early warning systems and making weather forecasting more inclusive, accurate, and life-saving across the Indian subcontinent.
The 2025 award theme, “Connecting Science to People: Democratizing Access to Innovation and Technology for Disaster-Resilient Communities,” perfectly aligns with Dr. Mohapatra’s pioneering efforts in leveraging science to reduce cyclone-related fatalities across the North Indian Ocean. His leadership has not only strengthened India’s forecasting capabilities but also benefited 13 member nations of the WMO/ESCAP Panel bordering the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
Popularly known as the “Cyclone Man of India,” Dr. Mohapatra is widely credited with transforming the way India approaches weather forecasting—making it more accessible, timely, and actionable for vulnerable populations. His initiatives have helped save countless lives by ensuring communities receive early, impact-based warnings during extreme weather events.
One of his most significant innovations is the impact-based forecasting system, which offers user-specific alerts for farmers, fishermen, disaster managers, and critical infrastructure operators. This system has enhanced disaster preparedness and response mechanisms across multiple sectors, reinforcing India’s position as a global leader in early warning systems.
Instituted in 1986 with support from The Nippon Foundation, the UN Sasakawa Award is the highest international honour for contributions to disaster risk reduction. It celebrates individuals and institutions that have made exemplary strides in building resilient communities worldwide.
Dr. Mohapatra’s recognition is a testament to India’s commitment to climate resilience and the power of science-driven policymaking in safeguarding lives and livelihoods.
