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NEW DELHI: Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh on monday dedicated one of the world’s first indigenously developed high-resolution weather forecast systems – the Bharat Forecast System – at a launch ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan today.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said, as India celebrates the rise of her economy to Rank 4 and looks forward to move up to Rank 1, our forecast precision aims to consolidate India’s economic growth by reducing potential losses ang simultaneously adding potential gains.
Developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, the cutting-edge system enhances India’s weather prediction resolution from 12 km to 6 km, enabling every village in India to access more precise and location-specific forecasts. This advancement marks a quantum leap in India’s weather services and is a significant milestone under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives.
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Department of Atomic Energy, Department of Space, and Personnel, Public Grievances, and Pensions, Dr. Jitendra Singh said “This indigenous breakthrough positions India among global leaders in weather prediction. It’s a proud testament to our rise as the world’s 4th largest economy and showcases our ability to develop state-of-the-art, self-reliant scientific solutions is another feather in the Nation’s Cap.”
In a heartening revelation, Dr. Jitendra Singh shared that the Bharat Forecast System is being spearheaded by four women scientists, reflecting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Nari Shakti’. “Science Ministries no longer empower women – we are being empowered by them,” he noted.
Highlighting the nationalistic spirit behind the project, Dr. Jitendra Singh said: “The efforts are Indian, the technology is Indian, and the beneficiaries are Indian. This is true Atmanirbharta. Moreover, this system will also benefit other tropical regions globally, which face the most complex and variable weather challenges.”
Emphasizing the tribute to ‘Vikas Se Virasat’ and the government’s commitment to using modern technology to support traditional sectors like agriculture, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the system would help reduce crop loss and anomalies by improving extreme weather predictions – with a 30% improvement in extreme rainfall forecasts and a 64% enhancement in core zones, using real-time modeling based on the ‘Triangular Cubic Octahedral Grid model.’
He lauded the seamless collaboration between IITM, India Meteorological Department (IMD), ISRO, and other institutions as a “Whole of Science” and “Whole of Government” approach, reinforcing India’s cohesive scientific strategy.
“The last few years have seen a quantum leap in IMD’s forecasting capacity,” he recalled, referencing PM Modi’s participation in IMD’s 150th-anniversary celebrations and the recently launched Mission Mausam, with a budget allocation of ₹2000 crore to upgrade India’s climate forecasting infrastructure.
Dr. Jitendra Singh underscored the role of the Ministry of Earth Sciences and IMD in enhancing ease of living and doing business, with over 20 ministries, including agriculture, space, and transport, relying daily on weather services. He emphasized the government’s commitment to last-mile delivery of forecasts, enabling both citizens and farmers to make informed decisions and mitigate risks.
At the event, Dr. Jitendra Singh also launched IITM’s Hindi Rajbhasha magazine “Indradhanush”, celebrating linguistic inclusion in science communication.
