In a significant advancement for meteorological science, the Indian government has unveiled the Bharat Forecasting System (BFS), a state-of-the-art weather prediction model developed by the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) in Pune. This system offers an unprecedented spatial resolution of 6 kilometers, making it the most precise global weather forecasting model to date .
Key Features of the Bharat Forecasting System
- High-Resolution Forecasting: BFS provides weather predictions at a 6 km x 6 km grid, doubling the detail of previous models that operated at 12 km resolution. This enhancement allows for more accurate and localized forecasts, crucial for predicting small-scale weather phenomena such as heavy rainfall and cyclones
- Powered by Supercomputer Arka: The system leverages the capabilities of ‘Arka’, a supercomputer installed at IITM with a processing capacity of 11.77 petaflops and 33 petabytes of storage. This infrastructure enables BFS to process complex forecasting models in just four hours, significantly faster than the previous system, ‘Pratyush’, which required up to 10 hours .
- Integration with Doppler Radars: BFS utilizes data from a network of 40 Doppler Weather Radars across India, with plans to expand to 100. This integration enhances the system’s ability to provide timely and accurate nowcasts—short-term forecasts up to two hours ahead—across the country .
- Global Tropical Coverage: The model covers the tropical region between 30 degrees South and 30 degrees North latitudes, encompassing the Indian mainland and other tropical areas. This broad coverage is essential for monitoring and predicting weather patterns that affect the region .
Implications for Various Sectors
- Agriculture: Farmers will benefit from more precise weather forecasts, aiding in crop planning and reducing losses due to unexpected weather events.
- Disaster Management: Enhanced forecasting capabilities will improve preparedness and response to natural disasters, potentially saving lives and reducing economic losses.
- Urban Planning: City planners can utilize detailed weather data to design infrastructure resilient to weather extremes, such as floods and heatwaves.
- Public Safety: Accurate and localized forecasts will enable authorities to issue timely warnings, ensuring public safety during adverse weather conditions.
Open Data Access and International Collaboration
In a move to foster global research and collaboration, the data generated by BFS will be accessible to researchers worldwide. This open-access approach positions India as a leader in meteorological science and encourages international cooperation in weather prediction and climate studies .India Today
Conclusion
The launch of the Bharat Forecasting System marks a significant milestone in India’s pursuit of technological self-reliance and excellence in meteorology. By providing high-resolution, localized weather forecasts, BFS is set to revolutionize weather prediction, benefiting various sectors and enhancing the country’s ability to respond to climate-related challenges