MAZU: China-Pakistan cooperation to see the storm before it hits

A butterfly flapping its wings in Brazil could, in theory, set off a tornado in Texas.

The idea, often used to illustrate the "butterfly effect," captures the complexity of Earth's atmosphere: a tiny disturbance can trigger a chain of changes that eventually develops into a powerful storm. 

For meteorologists, the challenge is to detect those changes as early as possible.

In Pakistan, where extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent, a China-developed artificial intelligence platform called MAZU is helping meteorologists strengthen weather forecasting and early warning capabilities, turning vast amounts of atmospheric data into information that can give people more time to prepare.

From uncertainty to early warning

In an interview with CGTN, Furrukh Bashir, Director of the Research and Development Division at the Pakistan Meteorological Department, said Pakistan is ranked among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. Heat waves, extreme precipitation and floods are placing growing pressure on communities, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on agriculture.

For farmers, increasingly unpredictable weather can turn an entire harvest into a gamble.

"Whenever we sow our fields, it starts raining without warning," said Muhammad Ijaz, a local farmer. "The seeds are destroyed, and the fields are damaged. The weather has become very unpredictable."

The uncertainty is not limited to rainfall. Climate change is expected to bring Pakistan more frequent heat waves, heavier precipitation and flooding, increasing the need for timely and accurate forecasts.

The Pakistan Meteorological Department is responding by modernizing its forecasting capabilities and strengthening its use of advanced technology.

"With that, the Pakistan Meteorological Department is also modernizing itself, so that they may at least plan accordingly and save their lives in the wake of a disaster," said Bashir.

One of the technologies supporting that effort is MAZU, an AI-powered weather early warning solution developed in China.

Why MAZU?

MAZU is named after Mazu, a Chinese sea goddess traditionally associated with protecting people at sea. The name also reflects four core concepts behind the platform: Multi-hazard, Alert, Zero-gap and Universal.

Beyond its name, MAZU is fundamentally about technology, particularly how AI can help meteorologists process complex weather data and identify potential risks earlier.

China and Pakistan have made agriculture an important starting point for their meteorological cooperation.

Henan Province, a major agricultural region in central China, produces around one-fourth of China's wheat. Wheat is also one of Pakistan's most important staple crops, accounting for 9.7% of the value added in agriculture and 1.7% of the country's GDP, according to Pakistan's Ministry of National Food Security and Research.

That makes agricultural meteorological services a natural area for cooperation.

"We will build on Henan's strong foundation and advantages in meteorological services for agriculture, using agricultural meteorological applications and services in Pakistan as an entry point," said Chen Huailiang, director of the Henan Provincial Meteorological Administration.

The cooperation includes monitoring wheat growth conditions, issuing early warnings for disaster risks and improving the identification of cloud physics and severe convective systems.

According to Cheng Lin, director of the Henan Provincial Meteorological Research Institute, these capabilities can also strengthen meteorological support for agriculture, aviation and transportation.

Behind every warning is data, which lies at the heart of MAZU.

The more relevant and reliable data an AI model can access, the better it can identify patterns, assess risks, and generate forecasts and warnings.

China's meteorological authorities provide customized modules and services for different countries, adapting the platform to local needs under a "one country, one strategy" approach.

Henan is contributing its expertise in agricultural meteorology and AI applications to this effort.

"We will further harness AI to enhance meteorological monitoring, forecasting, and early warning of disasters," Chen said, adding that Henan will contribute its expertise and smart solutions to the global deployment of the MAZU China Meteorological Solution.

The system is not designed simply to produce more data. Its purpose is to transform data into information that can support decisions, particularly when extreme weather is approaching.

That distinction becomes especially important during Pakistan's monsoon season.

From China to Pakistan

MAZU provides early warnings through the cloud. Pakistan is one of the early recipients of a MAZU server, bringing the technology closer to local meteorological operations.

"We received that machine last year, and it has got a lot of capabilities," Bashir said. The system can process meteorological information using AI and generate early warnings for different areas.

For Pakistan, the value lies not only in the technology itself, but also in its ability to work with local data and expertise.

Thousands of kilometers apart, China and Pakistan face different landscapes and different weather challenges. Though the basic need is the same: better forecasts that translate into more time to prepare.

"It would be very helpful if we were warned in advance about approaching rain or drought conditions," said farmer Muhammad Ijaz. "That way, we could prepare ourselves and take the necessary precautions."

Cooperation through MAZU

MAZU is expected to reach 30 countries to help countries strengthen their capacity for disaster prevention, mitigation and climate resilience. The platform is also envisioned as part of wider international AI cooperation across the Shanghai Cooperation Organization region.

Technology may be at the heart of MAZU, but technology alone cannot stop a storm. What it can do is give people something increasingly valuable in a changing climate: time.

Because when it comes to extreme weather, seeing the storm is only the beginning. The real goal is to see it coming and help people prepare before it arrives.