How panchayat-level weather forecasts will help

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Last Updated26/10/2024

Five-day weather forecasts, updated every hour, are now available at the level of gram panchayats — the first major step towards localised forecasting across the country.

Five-day weather forecasts, updated hourly, are now available at the gram panchayat level, marking a significant step towards localized forecasting across India. This initiative was formally launched by Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, on October 24.

The Gram Panchayat-Level Weather Forecasting initiative is a collaborative effort of the Panchayati Raj Ministry, the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
According to the Panchayati Raj Ministry, the initiative aims to “empower rural communities and enhance disaster preparedness at the grassroots,” benefiting farmers and villagers nationwide. It is expected to strengthen grassroots governance and promote sustainable agricultural practices, making rural populations more climate-resilient.

Hourly forecasts will be accessible through the e-GramSwaraj and Gram Manchitra portals, as well as the Meri Panchayat app. The forecasts will include:
Current weather data: temperature, wind speed, cloud cover, rainfall, and relative humidity.
Five-day forecasts: minimum and maximum temperatures, rainfall, cloud cover, wind direction, and wind speed.

This localized weather information will directly assist farmers in planning crucial activities such as sowing, irrigation, and harvesting. The Panchayati Raj Ministry highlighted the importance of microforecasts amid the challenges posed by climate change, emphasizing that localized forecasts will help safeguard agricultural livelihoods and enhance rural preparedness for natural disasters.

While significant advances have been made in weather forecasting, inherent uncertainties remain. Predicting localized weather events, such as cloudbursts, is particularly challenging compared to large-scale phenomena like monsoons or cyclones.
Localized forecasts empower small farming communities, helping them plan economic activities with greater confidence. There are approximately 2.55 lakh village panchayats in India, each with populations averaging a few thousand.

Currently, weather forecasts are available at the district and block levels. The IMD is working to improve its forecasting capabilities, achieving accuracy over areas of 12 km x 12 km and testing forecasts for 3 km x 3 km grids, with an aim for hyper-local forecasts at 1 km x 1 km.
Localized forecasts are vital for addressing climate change-induced unpredictability in weather systems.

To support this initiative, the Panchayati Raj Ministry is organizing a training workshop on “Weather Forecasts at the Gram Panchayat Level”. More than 200 participants, including elected representatives and state officials, will attend.
The training will equip panchayat representatives with the skills needed to effectively use weather forecasting tools, enhancing climate resilience in their communities.