New Delhi, March 21 -- The India Meteorological Department (IMD) is enhancing its forecasting capabilities by developing a high-resolution model that will increase its current 12-km grid spacing to 6 km by 2026. This move aims to improve weather predictions at the panchayat level, offering farmers more precise forecasts.

"Currently, we are providing panchayat-level forecasting, but that is based on the model run at the block level, so we will have to increase the panchayat-level model resolution," said Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, director general (meteorology), IMD, told Mint.

With the installation of radars, automated stations, wind profilers, and other instruments, IMD will expand coverage, improving forecast accuracy.

Presently, forecasts...