ICCS Unveils AI System for Two-Hour Rainfall Prediction

Quick Summary

• The Institute for climate Change Studies (ICCS) in Kottayam has developed an AI-powered platform, ‘Eye in the Sky’ ICCS Nowcasting System, for real-time rainfall forecasts.
• The system can predict rainfall with high precision up to two hours in advance and provides hyper-local insights.
• Key beneficiaries include communities prone to sudden downpours and agencies like the Disaster Management Authority, offering alerts on heavy rain and potential landslides.
• A mobile app is being developed to make these updates accessible to the public.
• The project will be showcased on August 7 at the Research and Development Summit organized by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Habitat (KSCSTE) in Thiruvananthapuram.
• ICCS conducts research on climate change impacts across sectors such as environment, river basins, and coastal regions in Kerala under KSCSTE supervision.
• Collaboration plans are underway with Kannur University for developing a mini-portable weather station; a memorandum of understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed soon.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The introduction of AI-driven systems like ‘Eye in the Sky’ represents significant progress toward tackling weather-related challenges in India. With precise real-time forecasting capabilities designed specifically for hyper-local use cases, this platform can empower communities vulnerable to extreme weather events while enhancing preparedness measures. Its focus on disaster management makes it notably valuable given India’s vulnerability to monsoons and related emergencies like floods or landslides.

Moreover, ICCS’s commitment to ongoing climate research-coupled with initiatives such as portable weather stations via university collaborations-signals an encouraging trend of technological adaptation amidst growing environmental concerns. These advancements underline India’s ability not only to mitigate risks but also spearhead innovations that could serve as models globally. Further integration into public systems through mobile apps will likely broaden access among local populations impacted by unpredictable climatic changes.Read more: Link