India, May 26 -- The earth sciences ministry on Monday launched a high-resolution (6 km) numerical global model-Bharat Forecast System-for operational forecasts up to the panchayat level, which is expected to help address extreme rainfall events, among other things.

The system was inaugurated as India faces extreme weather events. A series of intense dust storms and thunderstorms this month left at least 12 people dead due to house collapses, electrocution, and uprooted trees in Delhi and the National Capital Region alone. The storms disrupted flight operations and led to waterlogging, power cuts, and uprooted trees, signalling inadequate infrastructure and a lack of preparations ahead of the monsoon.

The Indian Institute of Tropical Me...