New Delhi: The esteemed Sasakawa Award has been awarded to Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, who serves as the Director General of the India Meteorological Department, by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR).

This recognition took place during the eighth session of the Global Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction, which was held in Geneva.

Mr. Mohapatra was honored for his outstanding work in enhancing tropical cyclone forecasting and warning systems.

His efforts have played a crucial role in bolstering India's disaster readiness and have led to a significant decrease in fatalities caused by tropical cyclones, as noted in a statement from UNDRR.

The Sasakawa Award, established in 1986 with the backing of The Nippon Foundation, is regarded as one of the highest accolades in the field of disaster risk reduction.

It acknowledges remarkable initiatives that contribute to building resilient communities and advancing sustainable safety practices.