New Delhi: IMD Unveils AI-Enabled Weather Forecast Systems
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has introduced two exciting new services aimed at improving weather forecasting across the country, particularly for farmers. On Tuesday, they debuted an AI-powered monsoon advance forecasting system that will provide detailed updates on seasonal rainfall and localized weather information up to four weeks ahead. This initiative will benefit over 16 states and more than 3,000 sub-districts.
In addition to this, the IMD launched another service focused on high-resolution rainfall forecasts for Uttar Pradesh, serving as a pilot project. This new system can generate operational rainfall forecasts with a 1-kilometer resolution up to 10 days in advance. It utilizes a robust network of observations and advanced AI techniques. The plan is to gradually extend similar services to other regions as more observational tools are developed.
The pilot system uses sophisticated AI methods and combines data from various sources like Automatic Rain Gauges, Automated Weather Stations, Doppler Weather Radars, and satellite rainfall data. This hyperlocal weather information will be accessible through various platforms such as mobile apps, SMS, WhatsApp, Kisan portals, and even TV. Additionally, displays will be set up in local vegetable markets to share weather updates, ensuring even rural self-help groups receive critical information.
During the launch, Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of Earth Sciences, highlighted that these new systems represent a significant move away from traditional forecasting. The advanced systems aim to deliver precise, location-specific, and actionable information to farmers, local officials, disaster managers, and the public.
Developed in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Singh emphasized the importance of these systems for several sectors, including agriculture, water management, renewable energy, urban planning, and disaster response. He noted that farmers would now have the tools to make better decisions regarding sowing, irrigation, and harvesting based on localized forecasts.
M Ravichandran, Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, mentioned that these new forecasting products are designed with input from stakeholders and are aimed at fulfilling the growing demand for detailed and high-resolution weather forecasts in agriculture and other sectors.
