On October 24, 2024, Union Minister of Panchayati Raj Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh (Lalan Singh) inaugurated the "Weather Forecasting Service at the Village Panchayat Level" at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi. This initiative, developed in collaboration with the Ministry and the India Meteorological Department (IMD), is part of the government’s 100-day agenda. Under this program, rural areas will be empowered to combat climate change and enhance disaster preparedness.
Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh stated that the "Weather Forecasting at the Village Panchayat Level" is a significant step towards simplifying rural life and empowering the agricultural economy. This initiative will enable panchayats to face climate challenges and make better decisions regarding agriculture and disaster preparedness. He also praised Prime Minister Modi’s “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative, which emotionally connects environmental conservation with community values.
The service will provide village panchayats with a five-day daily weather forecast along with hourly updates. This information will help rural communities plan their agricultural activities more effectively and prepare for weather-related risks. Additionally, emergency weather alerts will be sent out in collaboration with the IMD and the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), proving extremely beneficial for agricultural and disaster management in rural areas.
This initiative is particularly beneficial for small villages and towns in rural areas, where weather-related challenges can be significant. Given the critical role of weather in agriculture, weather data from each panchayat will now be directly accessible to farmers, enabling them to make timely and informed decisions for improved agricultural practices.
Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, emphasized that the availability of weather forecasting at the panchayat level will play a crucial role in disaster preparedness and in creating climate-resilient communities across the country. He noted that this initiative is a key part of the government’s efforts to modernize agriculture, allowing farmers to make timely decisions that can enhance their productivity.
Representatives from Haryana and Uttar Pradesh participated in the event and attended a training workshop on utilizing this service. The weather forecasting service will be accessible through digital platforms such as the “Meri Panchayat” app, e-GramSwaraj, and Gram Manchitra, promoting effective governance and transparency at the grassroots level.
A Step Towards Self-Reliant Panchayats : Panchayat Raj Minister of State Prof. S. P. Singh Baghel described this initiative as a crucial step towards building self-reliant and empowered panchayats. He highlighted that this initiative will positively impact the lives of rural citizens, especially farmers. At the event, Panchayati Raj Secretary Shri Vivek Bharadwaj and IMD Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra also shed light on the technical aspects of this initiative.
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