PARLIAMENT QUESTION: BHARAT FORECAST SYSTEM

Key Highlights:

• The Bharat Forecast System (BharatFS) has been launched, operating at a 6 km horizontal resolution.
• This makes India the only country running a global weather prediction model at such a high resolution for real-time forecasting.
• It is based on the new Triangular Cubic Octahedral (TCo) dynamical grid, surpassing its predecessor GFS T1534.
• The system is powered by indigenous supercomputing facilities, Arka (IITM-Pune) and Arunika (NCMRWF-Noida).
• BharatFS aims to generate forecasts at the cluster of panchayats level and improve extreme weather prediction.

Detailed Insights:

• The 6 km resolution of BharatFS allows for capturing local weather features, enabling forecasts for specific panchayats and villages.
• Localized forecasts assist farmers with crop planning, irrigation, and harvesting, and aid water authorities in reservoir management.
• BharatFS has shown significant improvement in predicting extreme rainfall in the core monsoon region, crucial for disaster preparedness.
• Developed by IITM-Pune, NCMRWF-Noida, and IMD, it considers the complexities of Indian geography like the Himalayas and Western Ghats.
• This indigenous development aligns with the Make in India initiative, showcasing India's capability in world-class forecasting systems.
• The system upgrades India's meteorological services and supports neighboring countries, reinforcing regional leadership and self-reliance.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Bharat Forecast System (BharatFS): India's indigenous high-resolution global weather prediction model operating at 6 km resolution.
• Triangular Cubic Octahedral (TCo) dynamical grid: A new grid system enabling high-resolution global weather model operations.
• Horizontal Resolution: The smallest distance between two points that a model can distinguish, indicating the level of detail in forecasts.
• Supercomputing Facilities: High-performance computing systems essential for running complex, data-intensive weather models quickly.