Accurate Weather Information Now Available in All Rural Areas of India Every Hour, Every Minute, Every Second; Launch Scheduled for October 24

On October 24, 2024, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Union Minister of Panchayati Raj, Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh), will inaugurate the "Weather Forecasting Service at the Gram Panchayat Level." This service aims to empower rural areas to cope with climate change and enhance disaster preparedness. Under this historic initiative, Gram Panchayats will receive a 5-day daily weather forecast along with hourly weather updates.

Providing Accurate Weather Information to Farmers and Panchayats

This program will deliver precise weather information to rural farmers and Panchayats, enabling them to make better decisions regarding agriculture and other activities. The initiative is being launched by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) in collaboration with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES).

Emergency Alerts for Enhanced Safety

Through this service, Gram Panchayats will receive daily updates on temperature, rainfall, wind speed, and cloud cover. Additionally, SMS alerts will be sent to Panchayat representatives during extreme weather events such as cyclones and heavy rainfall, allowing for prompt action to protect lives and property.

Improving Agricultural Planning in Rural Areas

This weather forecasting service will enable farmers to better plan agricultural activities such as sowing, irrigation, and harvesting. It is crucial not only for farming but also for disaster management and planning development activities in rural areas.

Training for 200 Representatives on Weather Information Usage

To mark the launch of this initiative, a training workshop will be organized for over 200 participants, including Panchayat representatives and state Panchayati Raj officials. This training will empower Panchayat representatives to effectively utilize weather information and promote climate resilience in rural areas.
The event will also be attended by Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel, along with senior officials from the Ministries of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare, and other relevant ministries.

Climate Resilience Initiative under the 100-Day Agenda

This initiative is part of the government's 100-Day Agenda aimed at strengthening local governance and taking significant steps towards making rural areas climate-resilient.