India is harnessing the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to tackle its increasingly deadly weather patterns.
Torrential rains, floods, and droughts have ravaged the country, claiming countless lives, and officials are turning to technology for solutions. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) currently relies on supercomputers and complex mathematical models for forecasting. However, they see AI as a game-changer, potentially offering faster, cheaper, and more accurate predictions.
The need for precise forecasts is especially pressing in India, a nation of 1.4 billion people, where many live in poverty and agriculture heavily relies on predictable weather patterns.
IMD already uses AI to generate public alerts for heatwaves and diseases like malaria. They’re expanding their efforts by developing AI-powered climate models and advisories.
But data is key. Experts warn that high-resolution data covering space and time is crucial for success. To achieve this, India plans to increase weather observatories, reaching deeper into remote villages.