The Centre has announced a significant expansion of India’s urban weather observation infrastructure, with the deployment of 200 automatic weather stations across four major metropolitan cities.

Union minister of state for science & technology and earth sciences Jitendra Singh said that 50 automatic weather stations each will be installed in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune during the year 2026, marking a decisive step towards strengthening hyper-local, real-time weather forecasting and disaster preparedness, particularly in densely populated urban regions.

A dense network of automatic weather stations will provide granular and high-resolution spatial data, enabling more accurate prediction of sudden downpours, thunderstorms, extreme heat events, and rapid pressure changes. He emphasised that such data-driven forecasting is critical not only for disaster risk reduction but also for informed decision-making in sectors such as agriculture, aviation, urban planning, and public safety.

The announcement was made during the 151st Foundation Day celebrations of the India Meteorological Department (IMD). IMD’s journey is uniquely aligned with the historical and administrative evolution of India itself, spanning the pre-Independence era to modern times. From its early beginnings in the Northeast to Kolkata, then Shimla, Pune and finally New Delhi, the organisation has continuously adapted to the changing needs of the nation while embracing emerging technologies and scientific capabilities.

Highlighting the transformation in India’s weather forecasting capabilities, the minister said forecast accuracy has improved by more than 40 to 50% compared to earlier decades. Cyclone track prediction accuracy has increased by nearly 35 to 40 per cent, while errors in monthly and seasonal forecasts have reduced sharply from around 7.5% to nearly 2.5%. He attributed these improvements to sustained investment, technological freedom, and institutional support over the last decade.

The minister also highlighted India’s growing role as a regional leader in meteorological services, noting that India now provides disaster-related weather information and satellite-based support to neighbouring countries such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. He said that these efforts have strengthened regional cooperation and underscored India’s responsibility as a trusted partner in disaster management across South Asia.

The number of weather radars has nearly tripled over the past decade, now covering close to 87% of the country’s geographical area. He pointed to the expansion of Doppler Weather Radars, solar radiation monitoring networks, aerosol monitoring systems, micro radiometers, and rainfall monitoring schemes that now extend down to the district and block levels. He also highlighted the development of highly localised forecasts, including ultra-short-range predictions that allow citizens to make informed decisions within timeframes as precise as three hours.

The minister emphasised that IMD’s increasing credibility and public trust are reflected in the unprecedented demand for its services. Recalling a recent instance when heavy public traffic temporarily overwhelmed IMD’s digital platforms following a seismic event, he said the episode, while challenging, was also a testament to the confidence people place in IMD. He added that steps are already underway to further upgrade digital infrastructure to meet growing public expectations.

He also highlighted IMD’s alignment with the government’s green energy priorities, noting that the department’s headquarters was among the first to transition fully to solar energy following the launch of national electricity schemes. This transition, he said, has resulted in substantial savings in electricity expenditure while also contributing surplus power back to the national grid. relevance of these systems, noting their critical role in strengthening India’s climate resilience.

The government is actively working on proposals to establish Centres of Excellence and additional Regional Meteorological Centres across the country to further expand IMD’s reach and capacity. He expressed confidence that as IMD moves into its 152nd year, its credibility, accuracy, and public trust will continue to grow, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of India’s disaster preparedness and climate service framework.