As climate change intensifies across the globe, India is turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen disaster preparedness, safeguard ecosystems and drive sustainable development. From village-level weather forecasts to advanced cyclone modelling and forest surveillance, AI-powered innovations are reshaping the country’s climate action strategy.
The spotlight is currently on the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, being held from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Touted as the first global AI summit hosted in the Global South, the event is anchored on three pillars – People, Planet and Progress – and focuses on leveraging AI for inclusive and sustainable growth.
AI Strengthening Early Warning Systems
India’s push to integrate AI into climate science is most visible in weather forecasting and disaster risk reduction. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has adopted AI-assisted tools such as the Advanced Dvorak Technique to estimate cyclone intensity and improve storm tracking.
High-performance computing systems with 22 PetaFLOPS capacity, installed by the Ministry of Earth Sciences, now power next-generation forecasting models. Around 10 per cent of this computing strength is dedicated to AI workloads, accelerating model development and enhancing predictive accuracy.
Indian researchers are also experimenting with transformer-based neural networks capable of forecasting monsoon behaviour up to 18 days in advance. Comparative studies of global AI models have shown significant improvements in predicting cyclone paths up to 96 hours before landfall, strengthening evacuation planning and infrastructure protection.
At the institutional level, the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, has established a virtual centre for AI-based weather tools, while IMD has partnered with IITs, NITs, ISRO and DRDO to deepen research and training in AI and machine learning.
Landslides, Floods and Glacial Monitoring
AI-enabled early warning systems are operational in climate-vulnerable regions. In the Himalayan belt, an indigenous AI-based landslide early warning system provides alerts up to three hours before slope failure. Installed at more than 60 locations in Himachal Pradesh, the system uses low-cost sensors and machine learning models with over 90 per cent accuracy to detect millimetre-level ground movements.
Flood forecasting has also advanced with the Indian Land Data Assimilation System (ILDAS), supported by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). AI-integrated models are being used to improve river basin management in the Ganga and Brahmaputra regions, enhancing preparedness in flood-prone areas.
These systems collectively extend early warning lead times, reduce infrastructure losses and protect vulnerable communities.
Taking Climate Intelligence to the Last Mile
One of the most transformative developments is the expansion of Gram Panchayat Level Weather Forecasting. Nearly all village councils across India now receive localized forecasts covering temperature, rainfall, humidity and wind conditions. Farmers can access this data through mobile applications, enabling informed decisions on sowing, irrigation and harvesting.
In May 2025, the government launched the Bharat Forecasting System (BharatFS), an indigenous model delivering forecasts at a 6-km resolution – an improvement over the earlier 12-km grid. The system can predict rainfall up to 10 days in advance, significantly improving agricultural planning and disaster readiness.
AI-based tools under development include MausamGPT, a chatbot designed to provide climate and weather advisories, as well as deep learning systems to forecast fires, lightning, fog and thunderstorms.
Coastal monitoring systems powered by AI are also being deployed to assess sea-level rise and identify high-risk zones along India’s vast coastline, aiding urban planning and long-term adaptation strategies.
Forest Surveillance and Conservation
AI is increasingly being used to protect India’s forests through machine vision and real-time camera analytics. AI-enabled surveillance systems detect forest fires, illegal encroachments and unauthorized tree felling. They also help prevent human-wildlife conflicts by identifying animals straying beyond forest boundaries.
Integrated satellite, drone and ground-sensor networks further strengthen conservation governance and help safeguard natural carbon sinks – a crucial component of India’s climate mitigation efforts.
Air and Water Risk Management
Urban sustainability efforts are also benefiting from AI innovation. The AIRAWAT Research Foundation of IIT Kanpur has partnered with IIT Delhi to develop AI-enabled sensor systems for real-time air quality and bioaerosol monitoring, addressing critical challenges in rapidly growing cities.
Meanwhile, researchers at Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur have developed an AI-based model to detect arsenic contamination in groundwater along the Ganga basin. By analysing environmental and geological data, the system identifies high-risk zones and supports safer drinking water planning under national initiatives such as the Jal Jeevan Mission.
A Technology-Driven Path to Net Zero
India has committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070, and AI is emerging as a central pillar in that journey. With 22 PetaFLOPS of computing power dedicated to scientific research and a growing ecosystem of institutional collaborations, the country is positioning itself as a global leader in AI-driven climate solutions.
From high-resolution forecasting and disaster prediction to renewable energy optimization and sustainable agriculture, AI applications are increasingly embedded in governance and grassroots planning.
As deliberations continue at Bharat Mandapam, the message is clear: technology, when aligned with inclusivity and sustainability, can become a powerful ally in the fight against climate change – particularly for vulnerable communities across the Global South.
