27 May 2025
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Monday (May 26, 2025) adopted the Bharat Forecast System (BFS), which promises more fine-tuned and accurate rain forecasts down to the panchayat level.Developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, this system enhances forecasting accuracy, especially for extreme weather events.
The Bharat Forecast System, launched by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, is a high-resolution weather forecasting model developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune. Here are the key points about the system ¹ ² ³:
- Higher Resolution: The system operates on a 6-kilometer grid, enabling more accurate forecasts for small-scale weather patterns, compared to the previous 12-kilometer grid.
- Improved Accuracy: The Bharat Forecast System has shown a 30% improvement in accuracy for extreme rainfall events and a 64% enhancement in predicting weather patterns at the village and panchayat level.
- Faster Predictions: The system can deliver forecasts within 4-6 hours, significantly faster than the 12-14 hours required by previous models.
- Developed by Women Scientists: The project was spearheaded by four women scientists, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Nari Shakti' (women power).
- Global Recognition: India has become one of the few countries to operate a global forecast system with such high resolution in real-time.
- Benefits: The system aims to support various sectors, including agriculture, water resource management, and public safety, by providing more precise and location-specific forecasts.
The launch of the Bharat Forecast System marks a significant milestone in India's weather forecasting capabilities, positioning the country among global leaders in weather prediction