The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is adopting advanced technologies like CubeSats, Internet of Things (IoT) devices and crowdsourcing to make weather forecasts more accurate and reliable. These modern tools are being used alongside traditional data sources such as satellites, weather balloons and radar networks. In 2023, the IMD took a significant step forward by launching a dedicated meteorological satellite and upgrading to a high-power computing system, ensuring greater precision in weather predictions.
Madhavan Rajeevan, former Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences explained that the IMD is shifting to an ensemble prediction system with a resolution of 6 km, which is a major improvement from the current 12 km. This upgrade is expected to greatly enhance forecasting capabilities. He also highlighted the importance of integrating new technologies like unmanned platforms and CubeSats to improve the quality of weather data and ensure more efficient predictions. To deepen its understanding of monsoons and cloud behavior, the IMD is establishing research testbeds in Mumbai and Bhopal. In collaboration with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune, the IMD has developed the advanced Air Quality Early Warning System (AQEWS) to deliver highly accurate air quality forecasts, replacing older methods that lacked precision.
Additionally, the IMD’s timely weather predictions are crucial for sectors like energy, where short-term forecasts help manage electricity grids efficiently. These developments demonstrate the IMD’s commitment to modernizing weather forecasting in India. By combining traditional techniques with advanced technologies, the IMD is addressing growing challenges like climate change while meeting the increasing demands of users. Its advancements are setting a new benchmark for accurate and timely forecasts, benefiting both citizens and various industries across the country.
