Mohanty, who replaced H R Biswas, earlier served as Scientist-E & Head of Meteorological Centre in Ahmedabad.

“Working with India Meteorological Department remains a challenge, whichsoever state one is posted at. Every place has a unique weather system, be it monsoon or cyclone. And the work includes accurate forecast of any weather system and issuing early warning to allow governments to take action. Our main objective is to deliver accurate weather related information. I am happy to serve in my home state, which has faced several calamities in the past,” she said.

Mohanty joined the India Meteorological Department after completing her master’s degree in Physics from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. She is credited for accurate forecast of powerful cyclones like ‘Tauktae’ and ‘Biparjoy’ that had formed over the Arabian Sea.

She studied at Alanahat High School in Jagatsinghpur district.

Notably, the Ministry of Earth Sciences has approved the promotion of the 13 weather scientists including Manorama Mohanty with ‘E’ Pay Matrix Level-13 to the post of Scientist ‘F’ Pay Matrix Level-13 A with effect from January 1, 2024.