Bharat Forecast System (BFS)

Union Minister of Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh launched the Bharat Forecast System (BFS) — the world’s first indigenously developed high-resolution weather forecasting model — at a ceremony held at Vigyan Bhawan. This advancement positions India as a global leader in weather prediction technology.

Key Highlights of the Bharat Forecast System (BFS):

• Resolution: Operates at an ultra-fine 6 km grid resolution, surpassing the 9–14 km resolution of models used by the US, UK, and EU.
• Developed by: Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune.
• Implemented by: India Meteorological Department (IMD).
• Replaces: The older 12 km resolution model.
• Computing Backbone: Powered by ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’ high-performance computing systems at IITM Pune and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF), Delhi.

Performance & Impact:

• Accuracy: Delivers 64% better accuracy compared to the previous system.
• Extreme Weather Forecasting: Shows up to 30% improvement in predicting heavy rainfall and other extreme events.
• Scope: Enables high-precision forecasts for a wide range of weather phenomena, including rainfall, cyclones, and heatwaves.

Strategic Importance:

• A significant milestone under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the field of climate science and disaster preparedness.
• Strengthens India’s capacity to mitigate risks from monsoon variability and climate-induced disasters, which frequently impact agriculture, infrastructure, and public safety.