Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee have created an open-access climate projection dataset called INDRA-CMIP6. This dataset, detailed in the journal ‘Scientific Data’, offers daily rainfall and temperature projections for India at a resolution of about 10 kilometers. The aim is to assist in enhancing regional climate adaptation, disaster readiness, and climate risk assessment in the country.
The INDRA-CMIP6 dataset addresses a key issue with existing global climate models. These models often struggle to accurately represent India’s diverse terrain, monsoon systems, and local weather extremes. India has been experiencing the effects of climate change, such as rising temperatures, erratic monsoons, urban flooding, heat stress, and increased pressure on water resources.
To tackle these challenges, the dataset provides projections at district and river-basin scales, essential for measures like urban drainage planning, flood preparedness, and climate-resilient agriculture. INDRA-CMIP6 is based on outputs from 14 CMIP6 global climate models, using a statistical downscaling method known as Double Bias-Corrected Constructed Analogue (DBCCA).
The dataset includes daily projections of precipitation, minimum temperature, and maximum temperature at a high resolution. By offering both individual model outputs and a multi-model ensemble, users can compare projections and assess uncertainties. The researchers have validated the dataset, demonstrating its ability to reduce errors in global climate model outputs and improve simulations of extreme weather events.
Fine-scale climate projections like INDRA-CMIP6 are crucial for translating global climate science into practical information for planners, researchers, and policymakers. Ankit Agarwal from the Department of Hydrology at IIT Roorkee emphasized the importance of such datasets in supporting climate adaptation strategies. Kamal Kishore Pant highlighted IIT Roorkee’s commitment to developing accessible knowledge resources for climate resilience and sustainable development in India and beyond.
