Jammu, September 12, 2025 : Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Friday addressed the challenges associated with predicting earthquakes and cloudbursts, emphasizing that efforts are underway to study the contributing factors behind cloudbursts to enable early warning systems.
Speaking at a ‘Vartalap’ programme organized by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in Jammu, Singh said,
“There is no exact forecasting capability for earthquakes and cloudbursts yet, but we are studying the contributing factors behind cloudbursts. Typically, when there is humidity and heat at a particular place, it tends to become explosive, which can trigger cloudbursts. Identifying these factors will help us provide possible early warnings.”
He further added that the government has launched programmes such as the Himalayan Ecology Mission to better understand these natural phenomena and their triggers.
Regarding improvements in weather forecasting infrastructure, Singh announced plans to establish a full-fledged IMD regional centre in Jammu and to install four additional weather radars across the Union Territory. These steps aim to enhance real-time weather monitoring and forecasting precision in the region.
The Minister also spoke about the lithium exploration project in Reasi district, stating that the process would be restarted after an earlier poor response during the tendering phase. “Once exploration is carried out, we will know the actual quantity of lithium present. Specialized companies exist in the country, but none have responded so far. We will restart the process,” Singh said.
On the subject of entrepreneurship, Singh highlighted India’s remarkable rise to become the third-largest startup ecosystem globally, with startups growing from just 350 in 2014 to over 1.5 lakh in 2025. He specifically pointed out the CSIR-Aroma Mission in Jammu and Kashmir, which has led to the establishment of over 3,000 lavender-based startups across rural India.
“These startups are generating substantial income and creating employment, transforming the lives of thousands of families,” Singh noted.
He also underlined Jammu’s potential to emerge as a hub for the perfume industry if distillation facilities were established locally rather than outside the region. He extended an invitation to the private industry to collaborate in this venture.
Discussing international collaboration, Singh referred to his recent visit to Grasse in France, a renowned perfume hub. He said discussions were held with the French Consul General to explore ways to add value to local products and integrate private sector participation more effectively.
Concluding his remarks, Singh praised the media’s role in promoting science, technology, and environmental awareness, emphasizing its importance in shaping public discourse and advancing developmental initiatives.
