IMD releases public cyclone and marine weather demonstrator

The India Meteorological Department released a public map-based platform for cyclone warnings and marine weather services on October 12, according to a Ministry of Earth Sciences announcement carried by the Press Information Bureau. The release links to a decision-support system intended for disaster management authorities, government agencies and the public.

The public entry page remained a demonstration on October 15. Its disclaimer states that the displayed data showcase the developed utility and that IMD will add relevant operational information when the real-time system is available. The public release therefore does not establish that the platform is ready to supply operational forecasts.

The ministry describes maps combining cyclone tracks and intensity with wind, rainfall, storm-surge and river-catchment rainfall forecasts. These are the views described in the announcement; the release does not provide a measured improvement in forecast accuracy or a performance assessment of the new interface.

The linked demonstration also exposes a Satellite Products panel. During inspection, its menu offered visible-image, water-vapour and cloud-top product choices, alongside a control for a 24-hour animation loop. This documents satellite inputs within the weather interface, but the presence of those controls does not verify that current imagery loads successfully.

The announcement places the launch at IMD’s pre-cyclone exercise for the October–December season. It records a live demonstration followed by stakeholder suggestions aimed at improving the platform and its operational utility. Neither the release nor the public landing page sets a date for the promised operational information.