Lok Sabha Question No. 2145 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-12
Subject: AI use for Weather Forecast
Ministry: EARTH SCIENCES
Asked by: Shri Raja A

- (a) Yes.
- (b) The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) explores integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies  into  weather  forecasting  systems  in  addition  to  physics-based  numerical models. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of meteorological predictions, which are crucial for various sectors, including agriculture, disaster management,  and  urban  planning.  The  key  initiatives,  future plans, and innovative projects are as follows:

Collaborative  Research  Across  Institutes:  Institutions  under  the  MoES  are  actively working  to  incorporate  AI/Machine  Learning  (ML)  methodologies  into  their  research activities and operational frameworks. This collaborative approach ensures a comprehensive application of AI technologies across Earth Sciences.

- (c) Achievements and outcomes of AI and ML in the research and development of weather prediction are provided below:
-  Improved the short-range precipitation forecast  in  1-day, 2-day,  and  3-day  lead times with a reduction in bias.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2145

## TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, 12 TH  MARCH, 2025

## AI USE FOR WEATHER FORECAST

## 2145.   SHRI RAJA A:

Will the Minister of EARTH SCIENCES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether artificial intelligence and machine learning research is being used in the field of meteorological research in the country to improve weather forecasting;
- (b) the  details  of  programmes  undertaken  by  the  Government  in  collaboration  of  artificial intelligence during the last three years;
- (c) the achievements and outcomes of artificial intelligence and machine learning research and development in terms of enhancing the understanding and prediction of weather; and
- (d) the  details  of  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  accelerate  the  pace  of  artificial intelligence and machine learning research for giving precise data on the predictions on cities and towns specific?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND EARTH SCIENCES (DR. JITENDRA SINGH)

-  Developed high-resolution (300 meters) urban gridded meteorological datasets for temperature and precipitation.
-  Developed  the  time-varying  Normalized  Difference  Urbanization  Index  with  a spatial resolution of 30 meters from 1992-2023.
-  Developed very high-resolution precipitation datasets for verification purposes.
-  To  monitor  and  predict  Tropical  Cyclone  Heat  Potential  (TCHP)  using  AI/ML methodologies.
-  The AI/ML is used to correct the bias of the NWP model products.
- (d) The Ministry has established a dedicated virtual center on AI/ML/Deep Learning (DL) at the  Indian  Institute  of  Tropical  Meteorology  (IITM)  in  Pune.  This  center  focuses  on leveraging AI, ML, and DL techniques for advancements in Earth Sciences. It has already developed  several  AI/ML-based  applications  tailored  for  localized  predictions  and  the analysis of weather and climate patterns.

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