IMD's Rainfall Forecasting Accuracy Surge

Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, chief of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), announced a significant improvement in the agency's heavy rainfall forecasts by 30 to 40 per cent in the last five years. The enhanced accuracy aims to minimize loss of lives and property during extreme weather events. Collaboration among stakeholders is crucial for further advancements.

In a press conference on Tuesday, India Meteorological Department (IMD) chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra revealed that the agency's heavy rainfall forecasting accuracy had improved by 30 to 40 per cent in recent years. This progress is essential for minimizing the loss of lives and property during extreme weather conditions.

His statement followed criticism from the Kerala government regarding the IMD's failure to predict extreme rainfall, which led to devastating landslides in Wayanad district, claiming 226 lives on July 30. Mohapatra responded by highlighting ongoing improvements and future plans to enhance forecasting accuracy by another 10 to 15 per cent within the next five to seven years.

Mohapatra emphasized the necessity of leveraging the agency's predictions to mitigate adverse impacts. The IMD currently uses data from 6,850 rain gauges, satellites, and radars for national forecasts. Collaboration with research institutions, disaster managers, and policymakers is vital for achieving hyper-local, impact-based forecasts and risk-based warnings.