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India to launch 200,000 weather stations under WINDS Program for pinpoint storm warnings

What is WINDS program in India?
WINDS or Weather Information Network and Data System is a program by India’s Agriculture ministry to install over 200,000 hyperlocal weather stations across India for granular, long-term weather insights to improve forecasts and promote wider data usage.
WINDS Program
Weather forecasting plays an important role in keeping people safe from natural disasters in India. Getting predictions right about rain, heat waves, or cyclones lets leaders make good choices to protect citizens. However, forecasting weather is tricky, especially in tropical places that see a lot of variety in weather patterns.
The Indian Meteorology Department (IMD) studies complicated science to estimate weather, but still makes some mistakes during monsoon seasons. India currently has only around 800 automatic weather tracker stations and 37 advanced radars to scan storms, while experts say thousands more are needed across the country.
Most prediction technology used right now relies on global models not optimized for India. To help solve these problems, India’s Agriculture ministry recently began a program called WINDS, which aims to add over 200,000 weather tracking stations, create localized weather data to improve forecasts, and promote wider uses of this weather data by officials and companies.
WINDS Program Details
The Union Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare recently started WINDS Program to help create detailed, long-term local weather data across India. WINDS stands for Weather Information Network and Data System.
WINDS aims to set up more than 200,000 automatic weather tracker stations and automatic rain gauges across India over the coming years. Currently, the country has only around 800 tracker stations and 1,500 rain gauges, which experts say is not enough.
The data from the new WINDS stations will help experts make weather predictions suburb-by-suburb rather than just city-by-city. It will also assist agriculture by linking cloud and rainfall information with crop planning.
The government hopes to promote all this new weather data for wide use beyond just forecasts. Officials and companies will be able to make decisions using WINDS weather insights for managing disasters, planning events, reducing disease outbreaks and more.
Benefits of WINDS Program
Experts predict WINDS will lead to more precise weather forecasts across India, especially during tricky seasons like monsoon. Currently, predictions even miss the mark during winter and summer rainy spells.
Better weather insights suburb-by-suburb can help make quicker, life-saving choices when facing disasters like cyclones or heat waves. For example, pinpointed warnings can help evacuate the exact right people.
WINDS weather data could also assist farming, transportation, city planning and other sectors beyond just forecasts. Companies may offer customized services for clients using the data.
About IMD
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) serves as India’s national weather service. The agency uses complex science to predict rainfall, storms and more across the country. However, experts point out IMD lacks enough on-the-ground monitoring equipment to feed its prediction systems.
Weather Forecasting Challenges
India faces greater variability and uncertainty in weather than other regions. IMD’s forecasts still fail at times, especially for critical monsoon seasonal rains. Additionally, most prediction software used today relies on global models not specialized for India’s climate.
Emerging Solutions in Weather Forecasting
Recent advances like artificial intelligence and cheap sensors are aiding forecasts. Startups are selling low-cost air quality monitors to cities for hyperlocal pollution insights. Experts advise integrating such new technologies and data sources, which can also improve fog prediction and pollution planning.
What agency oversees meteorology in India?
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), established in 1875, serves as the national meteorological agency of India, specializing in sophisticated weather prediction but facing infrastructure limitations.
What technologies can improve India’s weather predictions?
Emerging solutions like AI/ML models leveraging data from affordable air quality sensors and integrated data systems can enhance India’s weather and pollution forecasting.