IMD Chief Highlights Improved Rainfall Forecasts Amid Kerala Landslide Tragedy

IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra announced that heavy rainfall forecast accuracy has surged by 30-40% over five years, urging utilization to minimize disaster impacts. His statement follows Kerala's criticism of IMD's prediction shortfalls that led to the deadly Wayanad landslides. Enhanced early warning systems and collaborative efforts were emphasized for future improvements.

IMD chief Mrutyunjay Mohapatra announced on Tuesday that the agency's accuracy in heavy rainfall forecasts has improved by 30 to 40 percent over the past five years. He stressed the importance of utilizing these forecasts to minimize the loss of lives and property during extreme precipitation events.

Mohapatra's comments came in response to allegations by the Kerala government that the IMD failed to predict the extreme rainfall which triggered landslides in Wayanad on July 30, resulting in 226 deaths. He mentioned significant progress in weather disaster management due to advancements in early warning systems and information dissemination.

The IMD, using a network of rain gauges, satellites, and radars, now provides precise rainfall forecasts at the district level. Plans are underway to implement even more comprehensive models to tackle various hazards during the monsoon. Mohapatra emphasized the need for collaboration among stakeholders to further improve prediction accuracy.