IMD Using AI for Precise Weather Forecasts: Director-General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra Shares Insights

New Delhi: India Meteorological Department (IMD) Director-General, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, revealed that the weather scientists in India have initiated the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to enhance weather forecasting capabilities. Mohapatra highlighted the potential synergy between AI and numerical weather forecasting models, foreseeing substantial enhancements within the next five years.

Mohapatra emphasized the augmentation of observational systems to facilitate mesoscale weather predictions, reaching down to the panchayat level, covering approximately 10 sq km areas at an accelerated pace. The IMD has already deployed a network of 39 Doppler weather radars, enveloping 85% of the nation’s landmass, facilitating hourly forecasts for major cities.

Utilizing AI, IMD aims to delve into digitized weather records dating back to 1901, extracting insights to improve understanding of weather patterns. Mohapatra delineated AI models as data-driven tools complementing traditional physics-based forecasting models. He highlighted the collaborative efforts between the Ministry of Earth Sciences, IMD, and expert groups to harness AI effectively.

The IMD’s strategic objective includes delivering hyper-localized forecasts at the panchayat or village level, tailored to sector-specific requirements in agriculture, health, urban planning, hydrology, and environment. Mohapatra stressed the significance of data-driven decision-making, citing AI and ML as pivotal tools to refine forecasting accuracy.

Regarding climate change’s impact on predictability, Mohapatra acknowledged the emergence of mesoscale phenomena and the challenges they pose to local communities. To address this, IMD has strategically deployed Doppler weather radars, significantly enhancing forecast accuracy for extreme events like heavy rainfall and cyclones, by detecting and simulating convective clouds with a resolution of 350 meters per pixel.