In an effort to equip farmers with more reliable weather information and mitigate climate-related risks, the Indian government has launched a new “gram panchayat level weather forecasting” initiative. Through this program, over 2.5 lakh gram panchayats across India will receive five-day weather forecasts, hourly updates, and alerts for extreme weather events.
The initiative is a collaboration between the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) and the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), which will provide localised forecasts with expanded sensor networks. This marks the first instance of weather data being made available at such a localized level, ensuring rural communities have better resources to respond to climate impacts.
Panchayati Raj Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh stated that providing real-time weather data to gram panchayats will help farmers make more informed decisions, potentially reducing agricultural losses and supporting economic growth. Earth Sciences Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the initiative aligns with the government’s broader commitment to strengthen rural resilience and economic productivity.
The forecasts will be accessible through the MoPR’s digital platforms: e-GramSwaraj, which supports project tracking and governance; the Meri Panchayat App, which promotes community interaction with local representatives; and Gram Manchitra, a spatial planning tool for development projects. Panchayats will receive data on temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and cloud cover, aiding decisions in agriculture, such as planning for sowing, irrigation, and harvests.
To enhance disaster preparedness, the ministry plans to send SMS alerts for extreme weather events like cyclones and heavy rains, allowing for timely protective measures. Additionally, MoPR Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj announced a pilot project in collaboration with the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to train locals in 27 districts, providing specialized equipment and training to help them respond swiftly to disasters. This grassroots initiative aims to create a localized disaster response system for villages across the country.
