The Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) has unveiled an advanced Rainfall and Flood Forecasting – Early Warning System.
This cutting-edge initiative, developed in partnership with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), aims to provide accurate, real-time weather forecasts that will help city officials make more informed decisions and better protect residents from the increasing threat of urban floods, heatwaves, and pollution.The new system integrates high-resolution models of weather patterns, hydrology, and air quality, enabling forecasts up to 72 hours in advance for Pimpri Chinchwad’s wards, villages, and tehsils. This level of granularity ensures that the city’s authorities can respond effectively to specific threats based on the precise conditions in each locality, ensuring a more targeted approach to disaster management and mitigation.
The system, which was officially launched on Friday, is part of the Government of India’s National Supercomputing Mission (NSM), under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST). It represents a significant technological leap for Pimpri Chinchwad, aligning with the city’s broader goals of becoming more resilient to climate change while enhancing public safety and well-being.Shekhar Singh, Municipal Commissioner of PCMC, emphasized the system’s transformative potential. “This advanced system is not just about providing forecasts; it’s about empowering our administration to make timely, data-driven decisions that will protect our citizens and infrastructure,” Singh said. “The new system will enable us to anticipate and respond to weather events more efficiently, ensuring that we are prepared before they hit.”
Designed to offer actionable insights, the forecasting system will support both policy-making and day-to-day operations, helping to manage weather-induced risks like flooding, extreme rainfall, and heatwaves. The data generated by the system will also be crucial in planning long-term infrastructure development, including stormwater management and pollution control measures, ensuring that Pimpri Chinchwad’s growth is both sustainable and resilient.
The collaboration between PCMC and C-DAC marks a pivotal moment in the city’s drive towards smart urban development, focusing not only on growth but also on the sustainability and safety of its residents. By integrating advanced technology into its disaster management framework, the city is taking a proactive approach to the increasing frequency and intensity of climate-related hazards.
As part of this initiative, the system will be continuously refined to ensure it remains responsive to the evolving needs of the city. Moreover, it will be an essential tool for urban planning and climate adaptation, providing authorities with the necessary data to implement effective flood control and air quality measures.The launch of this forecasting system reflects the growing emphasis on technology and data-driven solutions to address the challenges of urbanization and climate change. As cities like Pimpri Chinchwad continue to expand, such systems will play a vital role in making urban areas safer, more resilient, and capable of withstanding the environmental pressures of the future.
With more cities in India looking to strengthen their climate resilience, PCMC’s initiative stands as an important model of how technology can be harnessed for the greater public good. The city is not only building a safer future but also contributing to the larger movement towards sustainable, climate-smart urbanisation across the country.
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PCMC Launches Advanced Flood Forecasting System
