New Delhi, July 30 -- The Ministry of Earth Sciences on Thursday informed the Rajya Sabha that El Nino conditions, which were weak in June, strengthened to moderate levels in July and are likely to intensify into a "very strong" phase between October and December this year.
In a written reply, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Jitendra Singh said the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has enhanced its forecasting capabilities under the Mission Mausam programme. The IMD currently operates six physical and three artificial intelligence-based numerical weather prediction models, along with a Multi-Hazard Early Warning Decision Support System.
For flood forecasting in the Brahmaputra basin, the Central Water Commission maintains 32 forecast stations across Assam. AI and machine learning-based models have been introduced at eight of the region's 12 short-range forecast stations to improve prediction accuracy. Ocean monitoring has also improved through real-time data from 302 Argo floats, 19 subsurface moorings and an expanded tsunami warning network. These measures have increased wave forecast accuracy by around 43 per cent since 2014, while coastal forecasts now achieve nearly 70 per cent accuracy.
The ministry acknowledged challenges in mountainous regions, stating that an X-Band Doppler Weather Radar could not be installed in Himachal Pradesh's Lahaul and Spiti due to terrain constraints.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.