'Cyclone Man of India' wins 2025 UN Sasakawa Award

The winners were selected from over 200 nominations on the basis of their contributions to disaster preparedness and resilience efforts.

Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra (sixth from left) along with other recipients of the UN award / United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction

Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, from the India Meteorological Department and affectionately known as the ‘Cyclone Man of India’, won the United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction, in the individual category, on June 5.

Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), is known for his contributions to tropical cyclone forecasting and warning systems. He has been instrumental in improving India's disaster preparedness and significantly reducing casualties from tropical cyclones through advanced forecasting and early warning systems.

ALSO READ: Mrutyunjay Mohapatra wins American Meteorological Society Award

In the individual category, Dr. Harkunti Rahayu from the Indonesian Disaster Expert Association and in the organization category, Global Network of Civil Society Organisations for Disaster (GNDR) won awards along with Dr. Mohapatra. The winners were announced at the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction.

The theme for this year’s ceremony was ‘Connecting science to people: democratizing access to innovation and technology for disaster resilient communities’. The theme captured the spirit of innovation and accessibility that drives modern disaster preparedness. The winners were selected from over 200 nominations on the basis of their contributions to disaster preparedness and resilience efforts.

Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Disaster Risk Reduction, Kamal Kishore, expressed his gratitude to the community present and those watching online, acknowledging the tireless hard work and unwavering dedication of all those nominated for the award.

Kishore highlighted the need for democratic resilience to disasters and said, “This year’s award theme recognizes the importance of innovation and technology to advance resilience – and do it in a very inclusive and democratic way…. the efforts where science has been connected to society to serve the needs of people, those who are most vulnerable,”

He added, “I ask that we all ask and reflect on how we can support and scale up the vital efforts of these remarkable individuals and institutions.”

Comments

This is a Premium Article, available exclusively to our subscribers.

Read 500+ such News or articles every month by subscribing today!
Monthly

Free

Limited Access

Limited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Subscribe Now
Monthly

$10

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Annual

$50

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Start the conversation

Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.

Sign Up Now

Already have an account? Login