Faced with a surge in extreme weather events and nearly 3,000 lives lost this year, India is harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to revolutionize its weather forecasting. This ambitious initiative aims to build advanced climate models and deliver more accurate predictions, crucial for mitigating the impact of floods, droughts, and torrential rains.

Key Highlights:

• AI to the rescue: Rising global temperatures have intensified weather clashes in India, prompting the adoption of AI technology. The UK's Met Office's success with AI models further fuels India's optimism.
• Accurate forecasts for 1.4 billion: With a vast population and significant food production, India relies heavily on precise weather forecasts. IMD currently uses supercomputers, but AI integration aims for higher-quality data at lower costs.
• Drilling down to village level: Expanding observation stations and collecting data at the village level will provide finer-resolution data, crucial for more accurate forecasts.

AI-powered Future: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is leading the charge, with KS Hosalikar, head of climate research, emphasizing the potential of AI-based models and advisories for improved forecasts. IMD has already leveraged AI for public alerts on heatwaves and diseases, and plans are underway to bolster observatories for village-level data collection.

Cost-effective Edge:Saurabh Rathore, an IIT-Delhiprofessor, highlights the cost-effectiveness of AI models compared to supercomputers, running even on standard desktops. However, experts like Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay, a climate scientist, caution that high-resolution data remains vital for optimal AI performance.

Government Backing: India's government has established a dedicated center to explore AI integration through workshops and conferences, demonstrating its commitment to this transformative technology.

India's journey towards AI-powered weather forecasting marks a significant step in safeguarding its people and crops from the wrath of extreme weather. With continued research and development, this initiative holds the potential to save lives and build a more resilient future for the nation.