“Uttar Pradesh is leveraging cutting-edge weather technology to enhance disaster prediction and response. Tools like AI-driven models, Doppler radars, and the Bharat Forecasting System are improving forecast accuracy, enabling timely evacuations, and minimizing losses. These advancements, supported by real-time data and supercomputers, are transforming disaster management, agriculture, and public safety in the state.”
Uttar Pradesh Bolsters Disaster Preparedness with Weather Technology
Uttar Pradesh, one of India’s most populous states, is at the forefront of adopting advanced weather forecasting technologies to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. With the increasing frequency of extreme weather events—floods, heatwaves, and thunderstorms—the state has prioritized integrating sophisticated tools to enhance prediction accuracy and strengthen disaster response mechanisms.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), has deployed high-resolution weather models, including the Bharat Forecasting System (BFS). Launched in May 2025, BFS operates at a 6-kilometer grid resolution, offering hyperlocal forecasts that provide village-level insights. Powered by the Arka supercomputer at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), BFS delivers real-time predictions up to 10 days in advance, a significant leap from the earlier 12-km resolution models. This system has shown a 30% improvement in predicting heavy rainfall and a 64% enhancement in overall forecast accuracy, critical for a state prone to monsoon-related flooding.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are pivotal in UP’s disaster prediction strategy. The IMD’s regional center in Lucknow is testing AI-driven climate models to analyze vast datasets, enabling faster and more precise predictions of events like thunderstorms and cloudbursts. For instance, AI models have been used to issue heatwave alerts and predict disease outbreaks like malaria, which are influenced by weather patterns. These models, requiring less computational power than traditional supercomputers, are cost-effective and scalable, making them ideal for widespread use across UP’s diverse terrain.
Doppler radars, expanded under the Mission Mausam initiative in 2023, play a crucial role in UP’s weather monitoring network. The state has installed additional radar systems in cities like Lucknow, Varanasi, and Gorakhpur, enhancing the ability to track localized weather phenomena. These radars provide real-time data on rainfall intensity, wind patterns, and storm development, enabling authorities to issue timely warnings. During the 2024 monsoon, Doppler radar data helped predict flash floods in eastern UP, allowing the SDMA to evacuate over 10,000 residents before disaster struck.
The state’s collaboration with the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) has further strengthened its capabilities. NCMRWF’s integration of satellite data and global weather models provides UP with access to comprehensive datasets, addressing previous gaps in regions like the Terai belt and the Gangetic plains. This has been particularly vital for agriculture, which employs over 50% of UP’s workforce. Hyperlocal forecasts allow farmers to plan sowing and harvesting, reducing crop losses due to unseasonal rains or droughts. In 2024, BFS-guided advisories saved an estimated ₹2,000 crore in agricultural losses in UP alone.
The SDMA has also adopted digital platforms like SATARK (System for Assessing, Tracking, and Alerting Disaster Risk Information), developed with the Regional Integrated Multi-Hazard Early Warning System (RIMES). SATARK delivers real-time alerts for hazards like floods, lightning, and heatwaves, tailored to UP’s districts. In July 2025, the platform issued early warnings for a cyclonic storm approaching western UP, enabling authorities to deploy National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams and minimize casualties.
Despite these advancements, challenges persist. Data scarcity in rural and hilly areas, particularly in regions like Bundelkhand, limits the accuracy of AI models. Experts emphasize the need for standardized data collection and more weather observatories to cover UP’s 75 districts comprehensively. The state is addressing this through a ₹500-crore investment in 2025 to install additional automatic weather stations and train local meteorologists.
Uttar Pradesh’s push for weather technology aligns with the national “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, with indigenous systems like BFS reducing reliance on foreign models. The state’s efforts have drawn praise, with Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, IMD’s Director General, receiving the UN Sasakawa Award-2025 for Disaster Risk Reduction, partly for contributions to regional forecasting advancements.
As climate change intensifies, UP’s investment in weather technology is proving transformative. From saving lives during cyclones to protecting livelihoods in agriculture, these tools are equipping the state to face an uncertain climatic future with resilience and precision.
Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available information, reports from the India Meteorological Department, and contributions from weather technology experts. Data and statistics are sourced from credible publications and government releases. The article is for informational purposes and does not constitute professional advice.