parliament question: PANCHAYAT LEVEL WEATHER FORECASTING
parliament question: PANCHAYAT LEVEL WEATHER FORECASTING
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has launched the Gram Panchayat Level Weather Forecasting (GPLWF) initiative. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), launched the GPLWF for nearly all Gram Panchayats across the country on 24th October 2024.
At present, monitoring of local weather conditions across the county, including Dadra Nagar Haveli, is done through various instruments, including satellites (INSAT-3DR & 3DS), Radars, Radio Sondes, Automatic Weather Station (AWS), etc.
The monitoring of local weather conditions is challenging. However, with the improvement in the meteorological weather observation network, including radars in the country in recent years, the monitoring and early warning of local weather has improved substantially. With the enhancement in the radar network and other observation networks in the coming years, the monitoring and early warning of local weather conditions, particularly severe weather conditions, will further improve.
Currently, DWR coverage is available for a large part of the country (about 87% of the total area of the country). More radars as per the requirement will be established in the coming years so that the remaining gap areas are covered and provide redundancy.
The gram panchayat level weather forecasts are accessible on digital platforms such as e-Gramswaraj (https://egramswaraj.gov.in/), the Meri panchayat app, e-Manchitra of MoPR, and Mausamgram of IMD (https://mausamgram.imd.gov.in/). The main aims and objectives of the GPLWF are to provide weather forecasts up to Gram Panchayat Levels, covering critical parameters such as temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind, and cloud conditions—essential data that farmers need for informed decision-making regarding sowing, harvesting, and irrigation. The platform makes weather forecast information accessible anytime and anywhere at the panchayat level across the country, including Madhya Pradesh. This weather information reaches a larger number of people through Pashu Sakhis and Krishi Sakhis under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare and the Ministry of Rural Development, as well as other Self Help Groups (SHGs). The GPLWF helps farmers to have access to localized weather information available hourly for up to a 36-hour lead period, 3-hourly from 36 hours to the next five days, and every 6 hours from the next 5 days to 10 days.
This information was given by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, MoS Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions, Department of Atomic Energy and Department of Space, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.