Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, Director General of Meteorology, India Meteorological Department (IMD), has been awarded the United Nations Sasakawa Award 2025 for Disaster Risk Reduction. Established in 1986 with the support of The Nippon Foundation, this Award is the most prestigious international recognition in the field of disaster risk reduction. The theme for 2025, “Connecting science to people: Democratizing access to innovation and technology for disaster-resilient communities,” underscores the significance of Dr. Mohapatra’s groundbreaking work in minimising deaths due to any cyclone over the north Indian Ocean region, not only in India, but also in 13 WMO/ESCAP Panel member countries bordering the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.

Affectionately known as the "Cyclone Man of India," he has been instrumental in making scientific forecasting accessible to vulnerable populations, thereby saving countless lives and minimizing disaster impacts across the country. He pioneered impact-based forecasting, tailoring warnings for farmers, fishermen, infrastructure, and disaster managers. His people-centric approach brought accuracy, clarity, and trust. This accolade not only recognizes Dr. Mohapatra’s visionary leadership but also reaffirms India’s growing role in advancing global disaster risk management. The IMD expresses gratitude to Prime Minister, Minister of Earth Sciences and Secretary, Ministry of Earth Sciences for their visionary leadership and encouragement for improvement of Early Warning System benefiting not only the country but also the entire region.