Scientists, including those of Indian-origin, have developed a new system which they say can provide farmers in India early forecasts of expected variations in the monsoon season, an advance which may help reduce crop losses.
The researchers, including those from the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) in the UK, used their long-term global weather forecasting system to predict when the summer monsoon will start, and how much rainfall it will bring.
In the study, published in the journal Climate Dynamics, they noted that the model provided accurate forecasts a month in advance for the timing of the monsoon in India’s major agricultural regions.
The scientists believe providing this information to farmers could help them prepare earlier for unexpected heavy rainfall or extended dry periods, both of which regularly destroy crops in India.
According to the researchers, the Indian monsoon brings around 80 per cent of India’s annual rainfall with even small variations in the timing of its arrival potentially having a huge impact on agriculture.
“Accurately predicting these year-to-year variations is challenging, but could be the difference between prosperity or poverty for many families,” said study co-author Amulya Chevuturi from the University of Reading in the UK.
“The forecasting accuracy we identified in India’s main agricultural regions provides a clear opportunity for this system to make a positive difference to people’s lives,” Chevuturi said in a statement.
Read More at https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/science/scientists-develop-model-to-forecast-timing-of-indian-monsoon/2192058/
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