BharatFS: India's High-Resolution Global Weather Forecasting System
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
India's indigenous high-resolution global weather forecasting model, BharatFS, was highlighted in a Lok Sabha reply by the Minister of State for Earth Sciences. It uses a Triangular Cubic Octahedral (TCo) dynamical grid to achieve 6 km horizontal resolution, making India the only country running a global model at this resolution for real-time forecasts.
Background
BharatFS was developed by Indian scientists from IITM-Pune, NCMRWF-Noida, and IMD under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. It replaces older models like GFS T1534 (~12 km) and common global operational models (9-14 km). The model leverages supercomputing facilities 'Arka' (IITM-Pune) and 'Arunika' (NCMRWF-Noida) for real-time operations.
Key facts
BharatFS is based on the Triangular Cubic Octahedral (TCo) dynamical grid, enabling 6 km horizontal resolution.
It is a significant upgrade from the previous GFS T1534 model (~12 km) and other global models (9-14 km).
Supercomputers 'Arka' (IITM-Pune) and 'Arunika' (NCMRWF-Noida) reduce runtime, making real-time forecasts feasible.
India is the only country running a global weather forecasting model at 6 km resolution in real time.
BharatFS provides forecasts at the level of groups of panchayats/villages, aiding farmers in crop planning, irrigation, and harvesting.
It improves prediction of extreme weather events like heavy rainfall and drought, especially in the core monsoon zone.
The model is designed to handle complexities of Indian geography, including the Himalayas and Western Ghats.
BharatFS aligns with the 'Make in India' initiative and enhances India's regional leadership in weather services.
Developed by IITM-Pune, NCMRWF-Noida, and IMD under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Prelims pointers
- BharatFS: India's global weather forecasting model
- Triangular Cubic Octahedral (TCo) dynamical grid
- 6 km horizontal resolution
- Supercomputers: Arka (IITM-Pune), Arunika (NCMRWF-Noida)
- Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES)
- IITM: Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
- NCMRWF: National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting
- IMD: India Meteorological Department
- Make in India initiative
- GFS T1534: previous model (~12 km)
Mains angles
- Discuss the significance of indigenous high-resolution weather models like BharatFS in disaster management and agriculture.
- Critically examine the role of supercomputing infrastructure in advancing weather forecasting capabilities in India.
- How does BharatFS contribute to India's self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) and regional leadership in weather services?
- Analyze the impact of improved weather forecasting on climate change adaptation and extreme event preparedness.