Context: Block-Level Monsoon Forecast
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) launched a new block-level monsoon forecasting system to provide hyper-local rainfall forecasts for farmers. The system currently covers 3,196 blocks across 15 States and 1 UT in the monsoon core zone.
India Meteorological Department (IMD)
- Established: 1875
- Ministry: Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
- Headquarters: New Delhi
- Nature: Not a statutory body; attached office of MoES.
Functions
Weather forecasting, monsoon prediction, cyclone warnings, earthquake monitoring, and climate data services.
Earlier Forecasting System
- Forecasts were mainly issued at State/district level.
- Rainfall variation within districts could not be captured accurately.
- Limited usefulness for village-level farm decisions like sowing and irrigation.
New Block-Level Forecast System
- Forecasts now issued at block level using AI-based analysis, IMD weather database, and blended forecasting models.
- Forecast validity up to 4 weeks.
- Designed to support precise farm advisories and improve crop planning.
- Developed with support from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology.
Uttar Pradesh 1-km Resolution Initiative
- IMD launched a special high-resolution monsoon model for Uttar Pradesh.
- Earlier models worked on broader 10–12 km grids; new model predicts weather for every 1 km × 1 km area.
- Uses the Mithuna weather model and dense network of Automatic Weather Stations (AWS).
- Enables highly localised rainfall prediction, disaster alerts, and agricultural advisories.
