Bharat Forecast System Unveiled: IMD Launches High-Resolution Model for Panchayat-Level Weather Predictions
New Delhi, July 23: In a major technological leap for India’s weather forecasting capabilities, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has officially adopted the Bharat Forecast System (BharatFS), a high-resolution model aimed at enhancing the precision of extreme weather predictions down to the panchayat cluster level.
The BharatFS, which became operational on May 26, 2025, runs at a 6-kilometre resolution—roughly the size of a cluster of villages—offering granular forecasts tailored to local needs. This marks a significant upgrade from the previous 12-kilometre resolution GFS T1534 model, which had limitations in computing capacity and accuracy at local levels.
The system was developed over the past five years and underwent successful testing in 2022. Since then, it has been rigorously evaluated, with results showing a 30% improvement in predicting extreme rainfall over the central monsoon region, according to the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today, described the BharatFS as a transformative step in India’s weather prediction infrastructure. “BharatFS offers improved representation of orography, enhanced filtering, and better conservation properties. Its high-resolution forecasts are particularly beneficial for disaster preparedness and local-level planning,” he noted.
Unlike its predecessor, BharatFS is based on a newly implemented dynamical grid known as the Triangular Cubic Octahedral (TCo) grid, which enables greater resolution over the tropics—where most of India’s weather systems originate. This innovation allows the model to handle complex weather patterns with better accuracy and efficiency, without encountering the computational challenges that plagued earlier systems.
However, officials clarified that BharatFS is designed for short- and medium-range weather forecasting and is not intended for long-range climate predictions.
The move is expected to significantly bolster India’s early warning systems, particularly in rural areas prone to extreme weather events, and represents a stride forward in climate resilience and agricultural planning at the grassroots level.
