IMD Enhances Heatwave Forecasting With New GIS-Based Tools

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is issuing heatwave forecasts and warnings across multiple spatial and temporal scales. These alerts are regularly disseminated to the public as well as disaster management agencies to enhance preparedness and mitigation efforts.

● Web-Based GIS Heatwave Portal Launched

IMD has developed an interactive GIS-based heatwave portal that displays:

• Current heatwave conditions
• 5-day heatwave forecasts
  These are available at district and sub-city levels, enabling users to visualise risks on dynamic maps for better local-level planning.

● Climate Hazards and Vulnerability Atlas for India

IMD has also created a Climate Hazards and Vulnerability Atlas of India, covering 13 major meteorological hazards, including heatwaves.

• The Atlas is accessible on a GIS-enabled web platform.
• It provides district-level maps showing hazard occurrence and vulnerability monthly and annually.
• It identifies hotspots with high heatwave potential and higher vulnerability.

● Enhanced Risk Assessment for Policymakers

According to Singh’s statement in the Lok Sabha, these GIS-based tools and hazard maps significantly strengthen India’s ability to assess risk, guide planning, and implement timely heatwave mitigation strategies across states and districts.

Source: PIB