Hi-tech weather forecasting system launched

India on Thursday launched an integrated forecasting and communication system for making accurate meteorological predictions that will place the country at par with the best technologies available anywhere in the world.

The Rs 10 billion system has been set up under the guidance of Meteo France International, which works with Met France for weather predictions, reports IANS.

"It is an important day for the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) as the system will bring India in the forefront of weather forecasting," Science and Technology Minister Prithviraj Chavan said.

Explaining the working of the system, Chavan said, "The data from various observatories, sensors, Doppler radars and automatic weather stations will be collected. These will be run in various computer models and weather experts will come out with forecasts."

The system will provide weather predictions of location-specific areas in a customised manner.

"Sitting here in Delhi we can pick up data from any radar spread across the country and make weather forecasts for any part of the country," IMD Director General AK Tyagi said.

Tyagi said the hi-tech system will be a value addition for the aviation sector, agro-met services, disaster management and other services provided by IMD.