The India Meteorological Department in Mizoram has achieved remarkable advancements in weather prediction technology, now positioning itself ahead of several leading global meteorological agencies in forecasting accuracy.
Superior Forecasting Performance
During Thursday's curtain raiser event for the India International Science Festival 2025 at the Meteorological Centre in Aizawl, IMD Mizoram director Sudheer Kumar Dwivedi revealed impressive statistics. The department's 24-hour heavy rainfall forecast skill between 2014 and 2023 exceeded that of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Even more notably, in 2024, IMD recorded a thread score that was 110 percent stronger than the US agency.
Cyclone Tracking Improvements
The department has shown dramatic improvement in cyclone track forecasting. Between 2014 and 2018, IMD's forecast errors were 10-20 percent higher than those of the US National Hurricane Center. However, from 2019 to 2023, the situation reversed completely. IMD's errors became 10-20 percent lower than NHC's for all lead periods up to 120 hours. The Indian agency also outperformed Japan in both assessment periods.
Governor's Recognition and Future Prospects
Governor Gen Vijay Kumar Singh, who addressed the program, commended IMD Mizoram for its exceptional forecasting accuracy. He recalled a specific instance where the department accurately predicted 48 hours in advance that there would be no rainfall until noon on August 15. The governor confirmed this forecast proved completely correct.
Governor Singh also highlighted the significance of IISF 2025, stating it would serve as an important platform connecting researchers, educators, innovators, students, industry leaders and policymakers. The event promises to foster greater collaboration in scientific advancement across multiple sectors.
