Bharat Forecast System: 6 km Weather Model by IITM
Why in the news
India began operating its own high-resolution weather model, built at IITM Pune after about three years of testing.
Key facts
- Launched by the Ministry of Science and Technology; powered by the ‘Arka’ supercomputer.
- Uses 40 Doppler Weather Radars, to rise to 100 for all-India cover.
- Offers nowcasts for the next two hours; 3-day and 7-day forecasts improve, seasonal ones unchanged for now.
- Cyclone tracks improve; accuracy reaches village and panchayat level.
| Parameter | Earlier | BFS |
|---|---|---|
| Forecast time | 12-14 hours | 4-6 hours |
| Grid | 12 km | 6 km (64% sharper) |
Significance
- Speed comes from Mission Mausam computing; better disaster preparedness and support for agriculture and water management.
Exam angle
- Developer: IITM Pune; supercomputer: Arka; resolution 6 km.