“Uttar Pradesh is leveraging cutting-edge weather technology to enhance disaster prediction, integrating AI, IoT, and real-time data to forecast floods, heatwaves, and storms. With tools like the Bharat Forecast System and expanded radar networks, the state aims to minimize losses and boost preparedness, revolutionizing disaster management for millions.”
Uttar Pradesh Bolsters Disaster Preparedness with Weather Technology
Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, is making significant strides in disaster management by adopting advanced weather forecasting technologies. With climate change intensifying extreme weather events like floods, heatwaves, and thunderstorms, the state is deploying a suite of tools to enhance prediction accuracy and mitigate risks.
The cornerstone of this initiative is the Bharat Forecast System (BFS), a high-resolution weather model launched in 2025 by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. Operating on a 6-kilometer grid, BFS offers a 64% improvement in forecast accuracy compared to older 12-km models, enabling precise predictions at the village and panchayat levels. In UP, this system is being tailored to address the state’s unique geographical challenges, from the flood-prone Gangetic plains to the Himalayan foothills. For instance, during the 2025 monsoon, BFS accurately predicted heavy rainfall in eastern UP, allowing authorities to evacuate over 10,000 residents in Gorakhpur and Varanasi before floods hit.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are also transforming UP’s disaster preparedness. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in collaboration with the state’s disaster management authority, has integrated AI-driven models to analyze historical weather data and predict short-term events like flash floods and lightning strikes. In 2024, AI-based alerts in Lucknow reduced heatwave-related hospitalizations by 20% through timely public advisories. The state is also experimenting with IBM’s Watsonx.ai, which uses satellite data to monitor environmental changes, helping predict flood trajectories in real time.
The Weather Information Network and Data System (WINDS), launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, is another critical tool. UP has installed over 5,000 of the planned 200,000 ground stations across India, collecting hyper-local data on rainfall, temperature, and humidity. In districts like Prayagraj and Kanpur, WINDS has improved crop planning by providing farmers with 15-day forecasts, reducing agricultural losses by 15% in 2025, according to state agricultural reports.
Doppler Weather Radar networks have expanded significantly in UP, with five new radars installed in 2024 under Mission Mausam, a Central Sector Scheme aimed at making India “weather-ready.” These radars, located in cities like Agra and Meerut, enhance real-time monitoring of cyclones and thunderstorms by 35%, as per IMD data. During Cyclone Biparjoy in 2023, UP’s radar network facilitated early warnings, preventing significant loss of life in western districts.
The state is also leveraging Internet of Things (IoT) devices for real-time data collection. In flood-prone areas like Ballia, IoT sensors monitor river levels and transmit data to centralized systems, enabling rapid response. For example, in August 2025, IoT alerts along the Ganga River helped authorities deploy 50 NDRF teams within hours, averting a major disaster.
Challenges remain, particularly in data quality and infrastructure. Experts note that UP’s Himalayan regions lack sufficient ground stations, limiting AI model accuracy. “Data integrity is critical for AI-based forecasting,” says Amitabha Bagchi, a professor at IIT Delhi. The state is addressing this through Mission Mausam’s phase one (2024–2026), which aims to install 10,000 additional weather stations in UP by 2026.
Collaboration is key to UP’s strategy. A 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between IMD and the Central Water Commission has streamlined data exchange, improving flood forecasting in rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna. Additionally, UP’s disaster management authority is partnering with tech giants like Google to integrate crowdsourced data via platforms like Google Maps, enhancing real-time feedback for AI models.
The state’s efforts are yielding tangible results. In 2024, UP reported a 40% reduction in flood-related fatalities compared to 2020, thanks to improved early warning systems. The integration of the Mausam app, providing hyper-local forecasts to 2.6 lakh gram panchayats, has empowered rural communities to prepare for extreme weather. Farmers in Bareilly, for instance, used app-based advisories to adjust sowing schedules, boosting yields by 10% in 2025.
As climate variability increases, UP’s investment in weather technology is a model for other states. By combining AI, IoT, and high-resolution forecasting, the state is not only safeguarding lives but also strengthening its economy against the growing threat of natural disasters.
Disclaimer: This article is based on recent news, reports, and publicly available data from sources like the India Meteorological Department, Ministry of Earth Sciences, and credible media outlets. Information is accurate as of September 2, 2025, and subject to change. Always verify with official sources for real-time updates.