NEWS – On October 24, 2024, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences, launched a Gram Panchayat-Level Weather Forecasting program. This initiative aims to improve rural community preparedness against climate change and natural disasters.

HIGHLIGHTS

Key Objectives:

• Enhance grassroots disaster preparedness.
• Promote sustainable agricultural practices.
• Strengthen governance and planning through weather data.

Forecast Availability: Weather forecasts will be accessible through platforms like e-GramSwaraj, Gram Manchitra, and the Meri Panchayat app, offering:

• Hourly updates on temperature, wind speed, cloud cover, rainfall, and humidity.
• Five-day forecasts including detailed temperature and rainfall predictions.

Benefits for Farmers: Farmers will receive critical weather information to help them:

• Plan sowing, irrigation, and harvesting effectively.
• Mitigate risks of crop damage from unexpected weather events.

Importance of Microforecasts: Localized forecasts will enable gram panchayats to:

• Respond swiftly to sudden weather changes, enhancing agricultural resilience.
• Make informed decisions regarding disaster preparedness.

Significance of Localized Forecasting: While larger weather systems can be predicted more easily, localized forecasts can better address smaller, sudden weather events. This helps farmers plan confidently based on accurate, geographically specific data.

Accuracy of Forecasting: Currently, India’s weather forecasts operate at the district and block levels. IMD aims to provide hyper-local forecasts in the future, improving accuracy for areas as small as 1 km x 1 km, which is vital given climate change uncertainties.

Training Initiatives: To maximize the program’s effectiveness, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj will conduct training workshops for over 200 elected representatives and officials, equipping them with the skills needed to utilize these forecasting tools effectively. This training will enhance local leaders’ ability to make informed, climate-resilient decisions for their communities.