Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh has announced a major expansion of India’s urban weather observation network with the deployment of 200 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) across four major metropolitan cities.

Under the plan, 50 AWS each will be installed in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Pune during 2026 to strengthen hyper-local, real-time forecasting and improve disaster preparedness in densely populated urban centres.

Speaking at the 151st Foundation Day of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Dr Singh said the dense AWS network will provide granular spatial data, enabling more accurate prediction of sudden rainfall, thunderstorms, heatwaves and rapid pressure variations. Such high-resolution data, he noted, will support better planning in agriculture, aviation, public safety and urban management.

Highlighting IMD’s transformation, the Minister said forecast accuracy has improved by more than 40 to 50 per cent over earlier decades. Cyclone track prediction accuracy has risen by nearly 35 to 40 per cent, while errors in monthly and seasonal forecasts have reduced from around 7.5 per cent to nearly 2.5 per cent, driven by technological upgrades and sustained institutional support.

Dr Singh described Mission Mausam, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, as a landmark initiative underscoring the government’s priority for advanced meteorological science and climate services.

India has also emerged as a regional provider of weather and disaster support, sharing satellite-based alerts and forecasting assistance with neighbouring countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka.

Over the past decade, IMD has nearly tripled its radar coverage, now covering around 87 per cent of India’s geographical area. The department has significantly expanded Doppler Weather Radars, radiation monitoring systems, aerosol networks and rainfall observation at district and block levels, enabling ultra-short-range forecasts accurate to within three hours.

The Minister also highlighted IMD’s transition to solar energy at its headquarters, which has reduced operational costs and contributed surplus electricity to the grid.

During the event, Dr Singh inaugurated a Model Observatory, a 3D-printed AWS and an Agro-AWS at the IMD campus, reflecting India’s push towards indigenous and cost-effective meteorological technologies.

Concluding his address, he said proposals are underway to establish Centres of Excellence and additional Regional Meteorological Centres across the country to further enhance IMD’s capacity and outreach.