Shielding against Nature’s Fury with AI

Improving accuracy in weather prediction and reducing response time are crucial to combating natural disasters. The month of August alone served as a stark reminder, with 387 lives lost and over 2,71,485 people severely affected across India. At least 1.7 million people were affected in Tripura, and the northeastern state is yet to come to terms after facing its worst flood since 1983. Several other states have also suffered heavily due to heavy rains or floods. The country’s cumulative losses due to hostile weather exceeded USD 12 billion in 2023–24, according to the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC). With climate change becoming increasingly evident, reducing such immense annual losses should be a national priority. Otherwise, a significant portion of India will remain perpetually vulnerable to natural disasters of catastrophic proportions like those witnessed in Wayanad.

To mitigate the risks posed by nature’s unpredictable behaviour, India must seriously consider utilising Artificial Intelligence (AI). Early adopters of AI in weather forecasting, like the US and Japan, provide compelling evidence of its potential. Imagine increasing forecasting accuracy by 30%, as the US has achieved, or slashing disaster response times by 50%, a feat accomplished in Japan. Such advancements could be transformative for a nation as vulnerable to natural disasters as India. The benefits of AI extend far beyond improved weather predictions. It has the potential to revolutionise India’s environmental management system. Imagine a future where AI analyses vast datasets, including satellite imagery and climate models, to provide real-time predictions and inform data-driven decision-making. This is not a distant dream but a tangible possibility with AI. The US, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, the China Meteorological Administration, among others, have started using AI to make accurate weather forecasts.

While the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has taken initial steps towards integrating AI, much more needs to be done. The allocation of INR 10,000 crore to the National Monsoon Mission is a positive step, but it is just the tip of the iceberg. Amplified investment in AI initiatives within the IMD, alongside empowering researchers with the necessary resources, is critical to realising AI’s full potential. Considering the escalating frequency and intensity of natural disasters over the last few years, India must embrace AI not just as a technological advancement, but as a crucial tool for building a safer and more sustainable future. The time for proactive measures is now, before the cost of inaction becomes even more devastating.