In India, many people work in diverse jobs that require them to watch the weather. India depends more on agriculture, where the weather plays an important role. Others, like fishing and air and water transportation, require weather forecasting. Even during emergencies, disaster management teams must be adequately prepared for severe weather events. Hence, effective weather forecasting supports these critical roles and functions.
India uses a weather forecasting system similar to that of many countries, but to improve the country’s growth, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, has worked for new system called the " Bharat Forecasting System." This system helps to improve forecasting efficiency, issue timely alerts, and provide a wider spectrum of weather phenomena.
I am proud to share such an advanced invention with you. In this read, I have included a few details about the system, like when the system plan started, what it does, and how it helps. Explore it.
What is Bharat Forecasting System?
India has worked on an advanced weather forecasting system and has launched one recently. Bharat Forecast System (BFS) is an advanced, modern, and competent system that delivers high-accuracy forecasts. The system helps provide spatial resolution up to a radius of 6 kilometres. The BFS is ahead of many top countries like the European Union, United Kingdom, and the United States. Those countries use the models that support and operate at 9 to 14 km resolution.
Previously, India used the Coupled Forecasting System (CFS), a US-based model for Indian monsoon forecasting. To update it, the research team started working in 2022. The newly developed system will help detect monsoons effectively, help manage aviation and natural disasters like monsoons, help agriculture, plan waterways, help the defence system, and create advanced alerts during floods.
Speciality of the BFS
The Bharat Forecasting System is an advanced technology that helps in 30% enhanced rainfall forecasts.
A 64% enhancement of forecasting capacity in the core zones since they use the ‘Triangular Cubic Octahedral Grid model.’
The existing weather forecasting support uses a 12 km x 12 km resolution. Currently, BFS is capable of more accurate resolution, allowing it to find localised extreme weather conditions.
At present, the forecasting limit is only for a 144 sq km unit of analysis. The BFS can reduce it to 36 sq km; even micro-level weather forecasting is possible.
The BFS model is anticipated to improve the accuracy of forecasts related to cyclones, heavy rainfall, and variability in monsoon patterns, particularly at the district and sub-district levels.
Minds Behind the BFS
A team has been working on BFS since 2022 to improve the forecasting capacity and save many prospects for the country. The major minds behind the success of the BFS are the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune. They developed this system indigenously to replace the older 12-km resolution model.
This mission came to life under India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat mission on climate science and disaster management. After inspection, it started working at the India Meteorological Department.
The National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting was actively involved in research and development. India collaborated with international meteorological organisations, and research institutions also contributed to advancing forecasting technology.
The system improves the accuracy of weather predictions by using advanced meteorological models, high-performance computers, and satellite data.
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Working of Bharat Forecasting System
Prime Minister Modi launched Mission Mausam to improve the IMD’s forecasting capacity. The government allocated ₹2000 crore to upgrading climate forecasting infrastructure. Using the resources, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, built such a powerful weather forecast system.
The system, located at the IITM, Pune, uses high-performance computing systems like Arka and Arunika. It uses different technologies, data, and methodologies to find weather patterns.
1. Data Collection
The system uses satellite data to collect images and determine real-time cloud data, temperature, humidity, and other atmospheric conditions.
Weather stations' data include temperature, atmospheric pressure, wind speed, and precipitation. Doppler radars from space track precipitation and storm systems and identify weather events.
2. Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP)
BFS uses NWP for weather prediction. The calculations are based on data and inputs from radar, stations, and satellites, and some mathematical equations are used to make them.
3. Forecast Generation
With collected data and calculations for prediction, NWP models will generate forecasts for different timelines and limits. The generated forecasts will help predict temperature, rainfall, wind, and severe weather events.
This weather forecasting process will provide timely alerts and more accurate predictions for various weather phenomena. The public can be informed beforehand about heat, rainfall, and cyclones to be safe.
Who is Expected to Benefit from BFS in What Ways?
The advanced BFS system can help people from different professions. Predictions help people be prepared and reduce damage and unnecessary expenses.
1. Farmers
Farmers depend on climatic changes to plan planting and harvesting schedules, optimizing crop yield. Understanding the climate better will help reduce crop damage. Accurate weather forecasts, like cyclones and floods would also help reduce crop loss.
2. Disaster Management Team
Unexpected disasters can cost lives and cause government losses. By using the BFS, advanced alerts for cyclones and floods can be given on time. This will allow the disaster management team to plan timely evacuations and be prepared. Authorities can allocate resources and plan emergency responses based on forecasted weather conditions.
3. Aviation Industries
Aviation transportation and government projects require accurate weather forecasts for flight planning. Weather plays a significant role in safe takeoffs and landings. Even Marine transportation requires weather data to avoid storms and conditions.
4. Government
The government formulates many agriculture-related policies, water resources, and organisations. Based on climatic conditions, the government can develop a better plan. Based on climate change, the government decisions can be more helpful for the farmers and organisations. The government can develop a user-friendly application to notify people about climate change. The app would allow people to track emergency alerts and information based on their individual locations.
5. General Public
Accurate weather forecasts can help individuals plan their daily activities, travel, and outdoor events. Awareness of weather conditions can also help people take precautions during extreme weather, such as heat waves or heavy rains.
What to Expect in Future?
Weather forecasts for the future can be more accurate, helping to improve the personal lives of citizens and the government’s growth. In future, we can’t expect a lot more from BFS and future findings.
1. Enhanced Accuracy
Advances in technology will help train meteorological models. Methods of integrating with satellites and collecting data from ground observation centres will also be improved.
2. AI-Based Predictions
AI can be used to enhance the understanding of climate change in a more advanced way. Training the AI to detect natural calamities like cyclones, high temperatures, and heavy rainfalls will be detected in advance.
3. Real-Time Data Integration
Using IoT devices to collect data can improve weather data collection from different locations. This process can enhance data responsiveness and reliability. The highly reliable data will help in advanced prediction.
4. Focus on Climate Change
Improve the model to calculate weather patterns and trends to help in climate adaptation strategies. BFS insights can support sustainable practices in agriculture and urban development by providing forecasts that consider environmental impacts.
In Brief
India has developed an advanced weather forecasting system to help citizens and the Indian government. The Bharat Forecasting System (BFS) is built on the most advanced technologies in the weather forecasting industry worldwide. When the BFS’s capabilities are combined with data collected from various centres, it will improve both reliability and accuracy. Advancements in weather forecasting are expected to elevate different industries and improve the country’s safety to the next level. To support this technological leap, a dedicated Data science Course has been introduced to train professionals in analyzing weather data, developing predictive models, and contributing to the system’s continuous improvement.
