Gram Panchayat-Level Weather Forecasting Initiative Launched to make Village Climate Resilient

Posted 25 Oct 2024

2 min read

For the first time localized weather forecasts will be available at the Gram Panchayat level, supported by India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) expanded sensor coverage.

About Gram Panchayat-Level Weather Forecasting Initiative

Ministry: The initiative, is a joint program of the Panchayati Raj Ministry, IMD, and the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Features:
- 2.5 lakh Gram Panchayats: They can see data on the current temperature, wind speed, cloud cover, rainfall, and relative humidity.
- Digital platforms: e-GramSwaraj, Gram Manchitra, and Meri Panchayat will deliver 5-day and hourly weather forecasts.
- SMS alerts: Will be sent to panchayat representatives regarding extreme weather events. E.g., cyclones and heavy rainfall.

Significance of Localised Weather Forecasts

Safeguard agricultural livelihoods: Empower farmers to optimize agricultural activities like sowing, irrigation, and harvesting through precise weather data.
Strengthens grassroots governance: By making rural populations more climate-resilient and better equipped to tackle environmental challenges.
- It will also enhance rural disaster preparedness against extreme weather events, thereby reducing disaster-led mortality.
It underscored India’s role in global climate resilience: India's IMD serves as UN Early Warning for All advisor to five developing nations, demonstrating leadership in global climate resilience.

India’s localised weather forecasting capabilities

IMD has ability to forecast weather events over a 12 km x 12 km area.
- It’s a 40% improvement in forecast accuracy over the past decade.
IMD is trying out experimental forecasts for 3 km x 3 km grids, with the eventual objective of making hyper-local forecasts for 1 km x 1 km areas.
- A weather information network and data system (WINDS) has been launched to generate long-term, hyper-local weather data.
Other initiatives: Agro Advisory Services (AAS) and Gramin Krishi Mausam Sewa (GKMS)