New Delhi, March 10 The government has integrated artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning models into forecasting systems to improve early warnings for extreme weather events, the Lok Sabha was informed Tuesday.
In a written reply to a question, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said, "Rapid urbanization is posing new and unique challenges in urban areas of large urban agglomerations that span even more than one district in many areas."
He said that to address urban disaster risks and have "a focused approach towards urban issues", an enabling provision – 41A – has been introduced through an amendment in the Disaster Management Act, 2005. This empowers state governments to constitute Urban Disaster Management Authorities (UDMAs) in state capitals and cities having municipal corporations, excluding the National Capital Territory of Delhi and the Union Territory of Chandigarh.
"The UDMAs are responsible for preparing urban plans addressing urban-specific vulnerabilities including flooding and heat waves and for coordinating the implementation of the same," Rai said, adding that it is the "mandate of state governments to set up" these authorities.
On the use of technology, the minister said the Disaster Management (Amendment) Act, 2025 mandates the creation of a National Disaster Database, which will include "risk assessments, mitigation plans, and real-time data on disasters."
He added that alert agencies such as the India Meteorological Department have integrated "AI/ML models into weather forecasting systems for seven-day advance predictions", including AI-driven simulations for flood forecasting and cyclone tracking under Mission Mausam.
Rai was responding to a question by Lok Sabha member Suresh Kumar Kashyap on extreme weather incidents and disaster preparedness measures.