IMD Director General Mohapatra Receives UN Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction

The Odisha-born ‘Cyclone Man of India’ was honored in Geneva for his work that has cut cyclone-related fatalities across the Indian Ocean region.

Overview

Born in Bhadrak, Odisha, Mohapatra has led the India Meteorological Department since 2019 and serves as one of three vice-presidents of the World Meteorological Organization.
His pioneering enhancements to tropical cyclone prediction and early warning systems have driven a steep decline in storm-related fatalities across the Indian Ocean region.
The United Nations Sasakawa Award for Disaster Risk Reduction was presented to him at the eighth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction in Geneva.
Earlier in 2025, the American Meteorological Society honored him with its Scientific and Technological Activities Commission Outstanding Service Award for transformative forecasting work.
Naveen Patnaik, Leader of Opposition in the Odisha Assembly, publicly congratulated Mohapatra on X and highlighted Odisha’s pride in his global achievement.