Implementation of High Performance Computing system for improved weather and climate predictions
No: ----- Dated: Feb, 06 2014
Implementation of High Performance Computing system for improved weather and climate predictions
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has approved the implementation of the High Performance Computing (HPC) system during the XII plan period at a total estimated cost of Rs.567.16 crore (Rs. 500 crore non-recurring and Rs. 67.16 crore recurring).
The establishment of the HPC system and the enhanced computing infrastructure will enable simulations for improved weather, climate and ocean forecast and will help in providing reliable weather and climate services to the end users such as farmers, fishermen and other stakeholders in the government and neighbouring countries.
The salient features of the HPC system are:
(i) Setting up of petaflops-scale HPC facility along with sustained supporting infrastructure such as UPS, cooling system, power and generator backup at the Earth System Science Organisation-Ministry of Earth Sciences (ESSO-MoES) units, to enable simulations for improved weather and climate predictions.
(ii) The HPC facility will be available to the academic and research community of the country to undertake developmental work for improving the skill of forecasting.
(iii) The facility will also be set up at the Indo-Africa Center for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Mauritius as part of India's commitment for running an end-to-end medium range weather forecasting system for the African Union and extend support to the neighbouring Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries and the African Union.
The HPC system will be implemented in two phases during the XII Plan. The entire computational facility will be maintained at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (ESSO-IITM) and the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (ESSO-NCMRWF) with access to other ESSO units through the dedicated National Knowledge Network (NKN) linkage.
Background:
ESSO-MoES is constantly undertaking new flag ship programs with an aim to improve weather, climate and ocean services for the nation. To do this, high resolution dynamical models along with advanced data assimilation techniques are required to be developed which are highly computational intensive. The National Mission on Monsoons is being undertaken by ESSO-MoES. It also involves national and international organizations to improve the monsoon forecast. ESSO-MoES is also providing real-time weather and climate related information and services for societal benefit to South-East Asian countries. ESSO-MoES has also been entrusted with the responsibility of establishing a joint Indo Africa Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting in Mauritius; hosting and establishing the BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate. The state-of-the-art National Tsunami Early Warning Centre, established by MoES in 2007, is regularly providing early warnings to India and Indian Ocean Rim countries.