Archive · 15 Jan 2026
IMD to Install 200 Automatic Weather Stations in 2026
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) will install 200 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Pune by 2026.
This will help provide more accurate and detailed weather forecasts, especially for sudden weather changes like heavy rain, thunderstorms, and extreme heat.
The Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh, announced this during the IMD's 151st Foundation Day.
He said that weather forecasting has become much better over the years, with errors reduced significantly.
The new AWS will help in making better decisions for farming, flying, city planning, and keeping people safe.
India is also sharing its weather information with neighboring countries to help with disaster management.
The IMD is also using solar energy, which saves money and helps the environment.
IMD will install 50 AWS in each of the four cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Pune, totaling 200 AWS by 2026.
The AWS network will provide granular, high-resolution spatial data for more accurate weather predictions.
Forecast accuracy has improved by 40-50%, with cyclone track prediction accuracy increasing by 35-40%.
Errors in monthly and seasonal forecasts have reduced from 7.5% to 2.5%.
IMD's infrastructure expansion includes tripling the number of weather radars, covering 87% of India's geographical area.
- Who
- India Meteorological Department (IMD) and Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh
- What
- Installation of 200 Automatic Weather Stations (AWS) in four major cities
- When
- 2026
- Where
- Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Pune
- Why
- To strengthen hyper-local, real-time weather forecasting and disaster preparedness
- Number of Cities
- 4 (Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Pune)
- Number of AWS per City
- 50
- Total AWS to be Installed
- 200
- Year of Installation
- 2026
- Improvement in Forecast Accuracy
- 40-50%
- Cyclone Track Prediction Accuracy
- 35-40%
- Reduction in Monthly Forecast Errors
- 7.5% to 2.5%
- Percentage of Country Covered by Weather Radars
- 87%
