The India Meteorological Department (IMD) launched two new services on Tuesday, including an artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled monsoon advance forecasting system. This system provides information on the progress of seasonal rainfall and localized weather information up to four weeks in advance to support farmers across 16 states and more than 3,000 sub-districts.
Pilot Service for Uttar Pradesh
The second product, launched as a pilot service, offers high-resolution spatial rainfall forecasts for Uttar Pradesh. It can generate operational rainfall forecasts at a 1-kilometer resolution up to 10 days in advance, utilizing dense observational networks and AI techniques. Similar services will gradually be extended to other parts of the country as observational infrastructure continues to grow.
AI-Driven Downscaling Techniques
The pilot system uses advanced AI-driven downscaling techniques and integrates data from automatic rain gauges, automatic weather stations, Doppler weather radars, and satellite-based rainfall datasets. This integration enables precise and localized weather predictions.
Dissemination Channels
Hyperlocal forecast information will be disseminated through various channels, including mobile applications, SMS alerts, WhatsApp, Kisan portals, other digital platforms, and television. Additionally, displays installed at vegetable markets and other marketplaces will relay this information to ensure wide accessibility.
Impact-Based Forecasting
Union Minister of Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh stated that these products mark a major shift from conventional weather forecasting towards impact-based and decision-support forecasting. They are capable of providing precise, location-specific, and actionable information to farmers, administrators, disaster managers, and citizens.
